A Cape Cod police officer has been placed on administrative leave after an off-duty incident on Friday night.
According to the department, Sandwich Police Officer Matthew Cotter has been placed on administrative leave after an off-duty vehicle crash on Friday.
Police received a report of a motor vehicle crash on Grand Oak Road in Forestdale at approximately 9:30 p.m. The caller reported a vehicle had driven through her bushes and struck her parked car.
When Sandwich Officers arrived on scene, Officer Cotter was identified as the operator and he was uninjured. Based on observations of responding units, officers suspected Cotter may be impaired. A request was made to the Massachusetts State Police to investigate the crash. Cotter was subsequently arrested on OUI related charges and transported to the Massachusetts State Police Bourne Barracks for processing.
While the investigation was ongoing, a relative of Cotter’s arrived on scene. It was reported to police by an independent news videographer, that the relative while being verbally abusive to him, also assaulted him. The Sandwich Police Department is investigating the incident.
The Sandwich Police Department stated that their department and its members “hold each other and themselves to the highest standards. In addition to the criminal charges taken by the Massachusetts State Police, the Sandwich Police Department will be conducting a thorough internal investigation. The members of the Sandwich Police Department remain committed to serving the community with integrity, honor, and accountability.”
