FORMER PATERSON POLICE OFFICER INDICTED ON CHARGES FOR THE MAY 2021 ASSAULT OF A MAN IN CUSTODY
" Spencer Finch Indicted On Charges Of Official Misconduct, Tampering With Public Records & A Weapon Offenses For The Beating Of A Man."
August 3, 2022 6:44 A.M. ET By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
PATERSON, NJ.- On Friday, July 28, 2022, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announced the Indictment of former Paterson Police Officer Spencer Finch, 45, of Mahwah, New Jersey.
A Grand Jury sitting in Passaic County, New Jersey has returned an Indictment Charging Mr. Finch with One Count of Second Degree Official Misconduct; One Count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault; One Count of Third Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; One Count of Third Degree Tampering With Public Records or Information and One Count of Third Degree Perjury.
The alleged Charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 26, 2021, when Mr. Finch, at the time was a Paterson Police Officer, Arrested a man and Charged him with Terroristic Threats and other Offenses. Mr. Finch prepared and submitted an Affidavit of Probable Cause. Mr. Finch also prepared, signed and submitted a Paterson Police Offense Report in which Finch wrote:
The victim was “out of control”. Finch told the victim he was under arrest for Terroristic Threats. Finch told the victim to put both hands behind his back. The victim took an aggressive stance and clenched his fist. Following a struggle, the victim was handcuffed “after several minutes”. Once handcuffed and seated with his back against the wall, the victim tried to “head-butt” Finch.
However, the Body Camera Video of another Paterson Police Officer and surveillance video from the apartment building where the incident occurred showed:
The victim was in a hallway. He was agitated, pacing and screaming into a cell phone, but he maintained his distance from the officers. Finch, in full uniform, advanced on the victim. Finch did not tell the victim he was under arrest nor did he tell him to put his hands behind his back. Finch struck the victim with an overhead, open palmed strike to the face. Following a struggle, the victim is brought to the ground, approximately twenty seconds later. Finch struck the victim multiple times in the head with a flashlight. The victim was handcuffed behind his back approximately thirty-five seconds after being initially struck by the defendant. The victim was seated in the hallway with his back against the wall. The defendant then kneed the victim in the face or chest without justification.
Prior to the Date of the incident, The Paterson Police Department had banned the use of large “C” or “D” cell type flashlights. This was the type of flashlight Mr. Finch possessed and used to strike the victim multiple times.
Following Mr. Finch’s Arrest, The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office filed a motion for Pre-Trial Detention which was denied by the Court. At that time, Mr. Finch was released on Pre-Trial Supervision pending the outcome of the case.
Any member of The Public who wishes to make a complaint to this office regarding Police Misconduct of any Passaic County Agency may contact the Public Integrity Unit of The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office or the Tips Line at 1-877- 370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER AUGUST 3, 2022: LAW, PASSAIC: