NH Officer Charged With Hitting Man During Arrest

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A Salem, N.H., police officer has been charged with assaulting a man during an arrest in October.

The New Hampshire attorney general's office says Officer Joseph Freda was charged Wednesday with two counts of simple assault stemming from the Oct. 6 arrest of 39-year-old Thomas Templeton. Freda is accused of striking Templeton in the head with a flashlight and stepping on his hand while Templeton was sitting on the ground, handcuffed.

Freda was put on paid leave when the investigation began Oct. 23 and is now on unpaid leave. The Salem police department said Wednesday it does not tolerate excessive use of force by its officers and provides them with comprehensive training.

Freda's attorney could not be reached after business hours on Wednesday.