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Chief Says Police Handled Abuse Case Properly

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The commissioner of the Springfield, Mass., Police force says his department has been open about the way it has handled allegations of police brutality.

William J. Fitchet says he acted on the advice of city lawyers and Hampden district attorney in not making public the details of the Nov. 27 incident and investigations.

Patrolman Jeffrey Asher, who is White, is accused of repeatedly hitting Melvin Jones with a flashlight during a traffic stop. An arrest report said Asher struck Jones after he grabbed another officer’s gun during a struggle with police.

Jones was charged with drug possession and resisting arrest.

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