Crime & Safety

Salem Cop Fired After Allegedly Beating Handcuffed Man

The town of Salem terminated Officer Joseph Freda's employment Tuesday less than a week after he was arrested for allegedly using excessive force against a suspect he had in custody.

Freda, 33, of Salem, was scheduled Tuesday for nonpublic administrative hearings before the Salem Police Department and Salem Town Manager Keith Hickey, although Hickey said Freda waived those hearings.

Hickey said Freda was fired Tuesday following a recommendation from Police Chief Paul Donovan, and Hickey cited Salem's "no tolerance policy with respect to excessive use of force" while explaining the rationale behind the termination.

The town and police department declined additional comment Tuesday.

Freda is being investigated by the New Hampshire Attorney General's office for alleged unlawful actions while arresting Thomas Templeton, 39, of York, Maine, on Oct. 6.

The former officer could face up to five years in prison for allegedly using a flashlight to beat and draw blood from a handcuffed Templeton, a high-speed chase suspect, before intentionally stepping on one of the man's cuffed hands.

Freda was originally placed on paid administrative leave on Oct. 23 when the AG's office began its investigation, but last week was placed on unpaid leave and arrested on two counts of misdemeanor simple assault as a result on the AG's investigation, which is ongoing.

Senior Assistant New Hampshire Attorney General Jane Young couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday morning.

Several police reports pertaining to Templeton's arrest were released last week. The reports, according to the Eagle-Tribune, describe a series of injuries to Templeton, as well as an exchange that featured Freda swearing at Templeton after Templeton accused Freda of hitting him.

"Yeah, I [expletive] hit you," reads the report filed by Salem Officer Robert Kirley.

The Nashua Telegraph has also reported that Freda has been accused of excessive force before. In 2009, a Brookline resident claimed Freda, then a Brookline officer, used excessive force and charged her with a crime without cause following a traffic stop.


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