Justin Chappell, a former Weymouth police officer, pleaded guilty to assaulting Donald McAdam during an arrest in July 2022. After resigning from his position before a dismissal hearing, Chappell admitted to using excessive force when he hit McAdam multiple times with a baton and then punched him in the head after McAdam resisted arrest and used racial slurs.
Bodycam footage from the incident, released last year, clearly showed Chappell’s actions, which he later justified in a police report as necessary to achieve compliance. This was not Chappell’s first instance of using excessive force; he had previously received a one-day suspension for a similar incident in February 2022.
Following the incident, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission revoked Chappell’s certification as a police officer in January, after a recommendation from the Weymouth Police Department. This decision came after Chappell had already resigned, citing difficulties balancing his past experiences with current law enforcement standards.
Chappell faces up to 10 years in prison for deprivation of rights under color of law, with sentencing set for July 16. His attorney expressed regret over Chappell’s loss of temper, acknowledging the actions taken that day. Prior to his police career, Chappell had served in the U.S. Army, including tours in Afghanistan, and worked as a security contractor in Iraq.
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