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Worcester police officer arrested, faces civil rights, assault charges

Officer Michael Motyka is 17-year veteran of Worcester Police Department



WORCESTER, Mass. —A Worcester police officer is facing several charges, including civil rights violations, after he allegedly made comments about a man’s “black” skin, and was recorded forcing the handcuffed and shackled man against a wall, punching him, throwing him to the floor and kicking him.

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Worcester police said the Bureau of Professional Standards received a complaint from a 48-year-old man in March stating he was assaulted by a police officer while he was in a cell at the Police Department.

The man said the incident occurred on Dec. 1, 2014 while he was waiting to be transferred from the Worcester Police Department to the Worcester County District Courthouse to be arraigned.

The man and a witness said that during the release process, the police officer, who was identified as Michael Motyka, a 17-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department, made a disparaging remark about the man’s “black” skin.

The man also said he was in the holding cell, handcuffed and shackled, when Motyka entered the room, forced him against the wall, punched him, threw him to the floor and kicked him.

“The majority of the incident was caught on security cameras that are in a fixed position down in the holding cell room,” Worcester police Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst said.

Officials said during that investigation enough evidence was gathered to charge Motyka with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot) and a civil rights violation.

“I want to thank Chief Gemme and the Worcester Police Department for taking this matter seriously and investigating it quickly. Worcester will not tolerate this type of alleged behavior,” Worcester City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. said in a statement.

Police said the video that shows the alleged assault is not being released.

Motyka, 50, was arrested Thursday and is on paid administrative leave pending a termination hearing.

He will be arraigned in court Friday morning.