4 Manchester Officers Disciplined Due To Treatment Of Homeless Person

MANCHESTER, NH — The Manchester Police Department has completed its internal investigation into an August incident during which four officers acted in an 'unprofessional' manner toward a homeless man.

On August 12, the officers "successfully deterred criminal activity by stopping a homeless individual from defecating in an alley and injecting himself with illegal drugs," but "allowed their frustration and emotions to overwhelm them, ultimately damaging both their own reputation and that of the Manchester Police Department," the department said.

The homeless individual involved in the incident had been arrested earlier that day for preparing
to inject himself with heroin in a city park during daylight hours, according to police. Later that same day, they found him preparing to do it again.

"The repeated interactions with the same individuals over similar offenses clearly led to some officers exhibiting less-than-professional conduct during this encounter," police said.

They added: "Even the officers acknowledge that such behavior is unacceptable."

The officers in question were found to have violated various internal standards of operating procedure and have been disciplined accordingly, police added.

"As the Chief of Police, I take full responsibility for the actions of these officers," Chief Allen D. Aldenberg said. "I also have the responsibility to address their behavior in order to make them better police officers. I am fully confident that the involved officers have learned a great deal from this incident and I am certain that this behavior will not be repeated."

Mayor Jay Ruais added that law enforcement relative to people experiencing homelessness must "always be done in a compassionate and empathic way with the ultimate goal of connecting an individual to resources and breaking the cycle of homelessness."

He added: "If an individual wants and needs help in this city, it exists, but we cannot tolerate unlawful behavior and I will continue to support the Manchester Police Department in their work."

Manchester police noted that over the years, the department has found itself frequently summoned to address situations involving homeless individuals engaged in crimes including "violent assaults, thefts, illicit drug use, disorder in the city’s parks, streets, and alleyways."

Police said that "Each time they respond, the officers aim to manage these cases with professionalism and compassion for those facing homelessness and struggles with drug addiction," but added that the community "deserves higher standards from its police officers."

"Regardless of their frustrations, the expectation is that law enforcement professionals behave as such — professionals," Ruais said.