Fall River police officer found guilty of assaulting handcuffed suspect

A Fall River police officer was found guilty on Thursday of striking a handcuffed suspect in the forehead with a baton and failing to mention the incident in subsequent police reports. 

Nicholas M. Hoar, 37, was convicted on one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reporting. He was arrested and charged in 2022 and is scheduled for sentencing in April. 

On Dec. 21, 2020, Hoar injured a person under arrest when he struck them on the forehead with a baton. In the days following, Hoar submitted two reports that didn’t mention the incident, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release.

“What Fall River Police Officer Nicolas Hoar did — in using his position of authority to assault a man in his custody and then try to cover it up by filing false reports — is utterly contemptible,” said Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI, Boston Division. “We in law enforcement are granted significant authority in order to effectively do our jobs with high integrity and put their lives at risk every day. The defendant’s conduct and lack of moral compass is an affront to all those members of law enforcement who serve with honor.”

Hoar pleaded not guilty to the charges in November 2022. Hoar’s victim, William Harvey, was taken to a local hospital for treatment after the incident. 

For the assault, Hoar is facing up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. For each charge of false reporting, Hoar faces up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

“Police officers who abuse their power will continue to be held accountable by this office,” said Acting U.S. Joshua S. Levy in a statement. “This office has a huge amount of respect for the thousands of men and women in law enforcement who conduct their jobs with high integrity and put their lives at risk every day. The defendants conduct and lack of moral compass is an affront to all those members of law enforcement who serve with honor.”

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com