Hartford Police Officer Charged With Misconduct, Assault

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gaveltakenbyandrew-227

A police officer from Hartford is headed to trial for misconduct and assault and battery. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office announced on Thursday 31-year-old Matthew Mistretta was arraigned in May in 7th District Court of Van Buren County on two counts of assault and battery and one count of misconduct in office by a public official, which is a five year felony. Nessel’s office says Mistretta was charged as a result of several public integrity investigations conducted by the AG’s Public Integrity Unit. Last August, Mistretta conducted a traffic stop on a truck that was speeding and being driven erratically. Bystander video showed Mistretta removing a man from the truck, shoving him into the side of the truck to handcuff him, and then slamming him onto the hood of the patrol car. Mistretta then took the man to the ground and knelt on him in a similar manner to the George Floyd murder. The AG’s office says at no point did the driver try to resist. Mistressa will be in court on September 20. Nessel says her office “will continue to hold public servants accountable who fail to uphold the integrity of their oath to protect and serve.”