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Hadley, Mass., Police Officer Indicted And Accused Of Using Unreasonable Force

A Hadley, Massachusetts, police car.
file photo

A grand jury has indicted a Hadley, Massachusetts, policeman after the U.S. Department of Justice accused him of using excessive force when he broke a man's nose.

The DOJ says Officer Christopher Roeder elbowed the alleged victim while he was being booked. The man was taken to the hospital.

Government prosecutors say video of the booking process shows the man being cooperative throughout.

The two men had a confrontation four days earlier when Roeder was working a traffic detail by a work zone.

Roeder has also been charged with falsifying police reports.

He's pleaded not guilty.

The Hadley police chief declined comment, but sent a statement saying the officer resigned a few days after an independent investigation wrapped up. 

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Before joining New England Public Media, Alden was a producer for the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes. In that role, he covered topics ranging from art, music and medicine to business, education and politics.