Boston police officer suspended without pay after indictment on charges he beat an Uber driver

A Suffolk County grand jury today indicted Michael Doherty, 41, of South Boston on assault-and-battery and civil-rights charges for an incident in January in which he allegedly used a racial epithet while attacking an Uber driver he claimed had brought him to the wrong address.

Police Commissioner William Evans said he has suspended Doherty without pay:

This should send a strong message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated or ignored. I hold my officers to the highest of standards, and will take swift serious action if any should choose to conduct themselves inappropriately.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office and BPD, the grand jury indicted Doherty on two counts of assault and battery and one count each of assault and battery for purposes of intimidation, violation of constitutional rights, and use of a motor vehicle without authority.

The DA's office and BPD provided this account of what happened early on Jan. 4, when the Uber driver picked up Doherty in Charlestown and drove him to South Boston:

When they arrived at the destination, Doherty allegedly told the driver they were in the wrong location and used a racial epithet in the verbal exchange that followed. Doherty allegedly began hitting the victim, who exited the vehicle to escape the assault; Doherty then exited and chased the man around the vehicle.

As the victim flagged down a passing car driven by another Uber driver, Doherty entered the victim’s 2005 Toyota Prius and drove away, prosecutors said. The victim entered the second Uber car and the two men followed Doherty until he stopped and exited the vehicle at East 1st Street and Farragut Road. There, Doherty allegedly approached both men and used another racial epithet against the second man. Doherty knocked the Uber driver the ground and began hitting him; after the second victim came to the man’s aid, the three men became involved in a physical struggle. Doherty then left the scene.

His arraignment date in Suffolk Superior Court has yet to be set, the DA's office reports. He had previously been charged in South Boston Municipal Court.

Innocent, etc.