Fall River, Worcester, Springfield officers among 15 suspended by Massachusetts POST Commission

Boston – The Massachusetts POST Commission has released a list of fifteen suspended law enforcement officers. This follows the POST Commission’s early December release of information on recertified officers A-H and newly certified graduates.

The suspended officers are listed below:

Devon Bones, Holyoke Police Department
Bryan Custadio, Fall River Police Department
Leon Davis, Springfield Police Department
Ernest Fontaine, Fitchburg State University Police Department
David Forte, Needham Police Department
Kevin Garneau, Lowell Police Department
Nicholas Hoar, Fall River Police Department
Tomas Morales, Woburn Police Department
Keith O’Donnell, Somerville Police Department
Brian Pomeroy, West Springfield Police Department
Joseph Ponzo, Stoneham Police Department
James Quilty, Natick Police Department
Kevin Rooney, Watertown Police Department
Matthew Sheehan, Massachusetts State Police
Colby Turner, Worcester Police Department

Bryan Cusadio was fired by the Fall River Police Department in August after being charged with felonies.

In November, Nicholas Hoar pleaded not guilty to federal charges and was placed on paid leave by FRPD.

“We continue to make progress to meet the directives of the statute and add information to the database that is of great public interest,” said Enrique Zuniga, Executive Director of POST. “POST will suspend the certification of an officer who is arrested, charged or indicted of a felony and will revoke the certification of an officer who is convicted of a felony. The list of suspended officers will be updated periodically as these cases evolve and/or get resolved,” he added.

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 and the public. 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.

The POST Commission is required to immediately suspend the certification of any officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a felony, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6E, § 9(a)(1). Further, the Commission may initiate a preliminary inquiry into the conduct of an officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a misdemeanor.

The Commission can also administratively suspend the certification of an officer who fails to complete in-service training requirements within 90 days of notice, provided the commission makes reasonable exemptions for injury or physical disability; a leave of absence; or other documented hardship. POST will reinstate the officer’s certification upon documented completion of in-service training.

A law enforcement officer whose certification is suspended can request a hearing before a commissioner within 15 days. A suspension order is in effect until a final decision or revocation is made by the Commission.