Fall River, Hull, and Saugus police officers suspended by POST Commission bringing number to 42

BOSTON – Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission announced Wednesday an update to the suspended law enforcement officer list. Three newly suspended officers are listed below, bringing the total number of suspensions to 42:

Danny Khun, Saugus Police Department
Scott Saunders, Hull Police Department
Michael Morin, Fall River Police Department

Saunders was arrested by Pembroke Police after an incident that occurred on July 24. Upon learning of the incident and subsequent arrest, the Hull Police Department immediately placed Sgt. Saunders on leave pending the outcome of the case. His license to carry was suspended, and his badge and service weapon were taken and secured.

According to NBC10 Boston, Saunders was charged with assault and battery on a person who’s at least 60 years old and has a disability, causing injury. Saunders told Pembroke PD that 72-year-old Buddy Horsley raised his hands first. Horsley says he was driving when he saw Saunders carrying a paddleboard and then the board went into his car. After confronting Saunders about the damage, Horsley then stated that the incident turned violent. Video seen by Fall River Reporter shows Saunders on top of Horsley but did not show what led up to it.

The 38-year-old Morin was arrested by members of the FRPD Major Crimes Division in June and was placed on paid administrative leave on May 29 when the department discovered that he had allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old juvenile and had received, and was in possession of, inappropriate photographs in violation of the law.

FRPD issued the following statement at the time.

“Police Officers, especially those who work for the Fall River Police Department must be held to a higher standard in both their personal and professional lives. We do not accept any behavior that does not reflect the morals and values of the Fall River Police Department, or which violates the trust and respect that our officers work hard every day to earn.”

Information concerning Khun’s arrest was not immediately available.

The POST Commission is directed by statute to suspend the certification of an officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a felony and will revoke the certification of an officer who is convicted of a felony. The suspension order is in effect until a final decision or revocation is made by the Commission.

The POST Commission was established as part of a 2020 criminal justice reform law to focus on efforts to improve public safety and increase trust between members of law enforcement in the Commonwealth’s communities. The POST Commission is charged with creating a mandatory certification process for police officers, as well as processes for decertification, suspension of certification, or reprimand in the event of certain misconduct.