[MA] Officer Smith's $40 bail after dv assault and fleeing

A Stoughton police officer who faces domestic assault and battery and witness intimidation charges was treated just like anyone else who gets arrested, said Police Chief Donald Clark... A woman called police and said Smith threw her to the floor, has been verbally abusive and she feared for her safety. Smith fled... They used a police dog to find him... Officers seized two 12-gauge shotguns, a rifle, a .380-caliber pistol and ammunition... Bail was set at $40. Smith was told he needed a sober ride and ordered not to stay at his home for the rest of the night... Clark said the $40 bail is standard for domestic assault...

Stoughton cop arrested on W.B. domestic assault charge
The Enterprise, MA -
By Mike Melanson, Enterprise correspondent
January 25, 2008
A Stoughton police officer faces domestic assault and battery charges after West Bridgewater police and a Bridgewater police K-9 unit apprehended him early Sunday morning, police said. Officer Michael Winkler arrested and charged Bryan C. Smith, 41, of 418 Forest St., West Bridgewater, with assault and battery and intimidating a witness after a 12:15 a.m. Sunday call reported a domestic disturbance at his residence. A woman called police and said Smith threw her to the floor, has been verbally abusive and she feared for her safety. Smith fled when officer Michael Winkler and Sgt. Gregory Ames responded to the residence. Police found and arrested Smith about 30 minutes after the call, police said. Officers seized two 12-gauge shotguns, a rifle, a .380-caliber pistol and ammunition from the residence. Bail was set at $40...
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Stoughton cop faces domestic assault charge
The Patriot Ledger
By MIKE MELANSON
January 25, 2008
...West Bridgewater officers reported that Smith ran out of the house when they arrived in cruisers. They used a police dog to find him about 30 minutes later. Smith was hiding under a trailer in a neighbor’s yard, West Bridgewater Chief Donald Clark said...
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Chief: Cop treated same as any other suspect
Officer charged with assault, intimidation
The Patriot Ledger
By MIKE MELANSON
January 26, 2008
A Stoughton police officer who faces domestic assault and battery and witness intimidation charges was treated just like anyone else who gets arrested, said Police Chief Donald Clark. "What is the preferential treatment? We arrested him. We processed this like any other case. We covered nothing up. He went to court like anyone else" Clark said. Stoughton Police Officer Brian C. Smith, 41, was arraigned at Brockton District Court on Tuesday on charges of domestic assault and battery and intimidating a witness. Pleas of not guilty were entered... Smith was placed on paid leave and turned over his badge and gun pending the outcome of the case... Bail was set at $40. Smith was told he needed a sober ride and ordered not to stay at his home for the rest of the night... Clark said the $40 bail is standard for domestic assault and battery charges... Smith was charged with two counts of assault and battery in connection with a June 1995 incident in West Bridgewater, but the charges were dismissed at the request of the victim...
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Stoughton chief: Cop's arrest not a blemish
The Enterprise
By Mike Melanson and Allan Stein
January 27, 2008
...Acting Police Chief Christopher Ciampa said he was "shocked and surprised and saddened" by the arrest of Brian C. Smith, 41, of 418 Forest St., West Bridgewater, who was arraigned at Brockton District Court on Tuesday. But Ciampa called the arrest an "isolated incident," unrelated to the charges against the other officers, and he said he does not view it as another blemish on the department. "I would hope that people would not look at the last three years, and (instead) see what we have done in here and what we have accomplished," Ciampa said. "Don't paint us with the same brush. It's an unfortunate situation and (being) well-handled, in the appropriate manner"... Smith will continue to receive a patrolman's base salary of $47,800 until the charges against him are resolved. If convicted, Smith would be unable to hold a license to carry a firearm and therefore would be unable to fulfill his duties as a police officer... [Trial attorney Bruce] Raphel said Smith's release on personal recognizance by a judge confirms that Smith was given no preferential treatment. "It shouldn't be held against someone if a charge is made and the person is found not guilty or the charge is dismissed, in my opinion," he said. "He's innocent until proven guilty"...
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