SCITUATE, R.I. (AP) — An East Greenwich police lieutenant
was charged this week with assaulting a man who was in custody at the police
station.
Lt. Paul C. Nahrgang was arrested and charged Tuesday with
disorderly conduct and simple assault for allegedly using excessive force May
22 with a 44-year-old malicious mischief suspect, state police said Wednesday.
Nahrgang's lawyer, Gerard Cobleigh, did not immediately
return a phone message seeking comment.
Many details of the alleged assault were not released. State
Police Maj. Todd Catlow would not release the alleged victim's name and East
Greenwich Police Chief Thomas Coyle said he could not discuss what happened due
to the pending investigation.
Catlow said Nahrgang had alerted the chief "that an
incident occurred" on the evening of May 22 involving an East Greenwich
man arrested earlier in the evening. Coyle then watched a video that showed
what happened and informed state police, according to Catlow.
The chief said the alleged assault happened in a cell block
processing area, and that Nahrgang was suspended with pay the day after it
happened. He has been on the police force for 10 years and was promoted to
lieutenant about a year and a half ago, Coyle said.
Nahrgang was free on personal recognizance and was due for
an appearance in district court next Tuesday.