agawam police HQs via FB.jpg

Three Agawam police officers have been suspended for allegedly assaulting a person at police headquarters, but city officials have declined to name the officers or release details related to the June 19 incident. "The matter has been referred to the Hampden County district attorney's office for review and investigation," Mayor Richard A. Cohen said. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the officers appeared before Cohen in a civil service hearing. The lawyer for the officers claims they acted appropriately.

(Agawam Police Department / Facebook)

AGAWAM — The attorney representing three Agawam police officers who were suspended for allegedly assaulting a person at the Agawam Police Department on June 19 said the officers acted appropriately.

The officers, whose names have not been publicly released, were suspended last week following internal and external investigations, including by a private firm hired to conduct interviews and review video footage of the incident.

On Wednesday, the officers gave their side of the story to Agawam Mayor Richard A. Cohen during a closed-door civil service hearing.

"We had an opportunity to present the evidence, and that evidence is very clear that they acted properly," John Connor, the officers' lawyer, told Western Mass News, the TV partner of MassLive and The Republican. The evidence is "decisive" and clearly shows the officers acted appropriately, Connor said.

Cohen told The Republican last week that the case has been referred to the office of Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni for further review. "As the mayor, due process has been and will continue to be followed as required. I take these allegations very seriously," Cohen said.

Sources have told The Republican that the incident involved a disorderly-conduct suspect who was allegedly assaulted in the booking area of the police station. City officials have declined to verify that information.

Agawam Police Chief Eric P. Gillis confirmed that three officers were involved in a "use of force incident" that was recorded by the department's in-house camera system. All of the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, Gillis said.

An outside investigation was conducted by APD Management, a Tewksbury firm specializing in confidential investigations for municipal governments, particularly police departments. APD recently submitted its formal report to Gillis, who forwarded the findings and his recommendations to the mayor.

"This is an ongoing personnel matter, and as such I am not able to identify the officers involved or discuss the recommendations that I have made to Mayor Cohen," Gillis said.