Boston Police Officer Michael Doherty was indicted by a grand jury Thursday after allegedly assaulting an Uber driver while using ethnic slurs earlier this year, according to the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office.

Police Commissioner William Evans suspended Doherty without pay following the indictment, according to police. Doherty had previously been placed on administrative leave.

Doherty, 40, of South Boston, allegedly told an Uber driver that he had been driven to the wrong location after an early morning ride in January and used a racial slur before he started hitting him. When the man escaped the vehicle, Doherty allegedly went after him, but the victim waved down another Uber driver. Doherty then drove away in the Uber car and the two men chased him until he got out in South Boston, authorities said. There, Doherty called the second man a racial slur and attacked the first man, knocking him to the ground and hitting him, according to authorities. The three men fought before Doherty eventually fled the scene. He later surrendered to Boston Police.


The Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted Doherty on two counts of assault and battery, assault and battery for purposes of intimidation, violation of constitutional rights, and use of a motor vehicle without authority.

“These allegations are very troubling and certainly don’t reflect the attitudes of the hard working, compassionate men and women of the Boston Police Department,’’ Evans said. “This should send a strong message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated or ignored. I hold my officers to the highest of standards, and will take swift action if any should choose to conduct themselves inappropriately.’’