Excerpts from the findings

The city's civilian oversight panel has reviewed 19 citizen complaints of Boston police misconduct during the past year that were dismissed by the department's Internal Affairs Division. The panel determined that investigations in five of those cases were either unfair, not thorough, or both. Here are verbatim excerpts from the findings in those five cases, in which complaint filers and officers were not identified:

Complainant witnessed officers fighting with a man they were trying to arrest in front of the Roxy Nightclub. Complainant alleged that officers threw suspect against his car, causing damage to his mirror and fender. Complainant stated when he attempted to inform officers of damage, he was pushed to the ground and sprayed with mace.

Finding: Not fair and not thorough. More effort should have been put into case to question possible personnel involved. Case should have remained open until complainant was relocated after moving out of reported residence.

Complainant stated unknown white male identified self as state trooper in a bar. Complainant alleged supposed trooper showed a firearm and threatened to hurt him. He told an officer that this guy had threatened him, and officer did nothing.

Finding: Not thorough. More effort should be made to contact primary witnesses; home visits if necessary. Conclusionary statements should only be made when there exist facts to support it.

Complainant alleged that officer used excessive force when he was placed under arrest.

Finding: Not thorough. [No reasons given]

Complainants alleged that one officer verbally and physically assaulted them. They also alleged that another officer yelled obscenities and made racial remarks.

Finding: Not fair and not thorough. [No reasons given]

Complainant alleged that while riding his dirt bike on Wendover Street, one individual who he believed to be a police officer struck him on the top of the head with a baton.

Finding: Not fair. Investigators should never offer leading statements in correspondence or interviews. Investigators should always conduct interviews in an objective manner and never be combative with complainants or witnesses.

SOURCE: Annual report of the Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel of the Internal Affairs Division of the Boston Police Department.