New Salem officer faces OUI charge 

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 02-13-2023 9:21 AM

GREENFIELD – A New Salem police officer faces a charge of operating under the influence of liquor after he was arrested at a town official’s home late January.

Charles J. Brooks, 39, of Amherst Road, Belchertown, pleaded not guilty in Greenfield District Court on Jan. 23 following his arrest the previous day. He was released on personal recognizance. The case has been transferred from Orange District Court to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Brooks is represented by Attorney Isaac Mass, who declined to comment Friday.

According to an arrest narrative filed by State Trooper Mary L. Ashley, she was dispatched to South Main Street for a report of a suspicious person and motor vehicle at roughly 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 22. Ashley arrived to find Trooper Cliff Desrosena and Kevin A. Doyle already on scene, with Desrosena talking to Brooks and Doyle speaking with the town official, who had called 911. Desrosena informed Ashley that Brooks produced a New Salem Police identification card when asked for his driver’s license. Brooks, seated in a white Sierra truck, was also noted as having glossy, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. According to Ashley’s narrative, Brooks eventually handed his wallet to Desrosena to retrieve the license.

Brooks reportedly complied when Ashley asked him to exit the vehicle but was unsteady on his feet, using the truck’s door and doorframe for balance, according to the police report. Ashley also detected a strong odor of alcohol. Brooks declined to answer any more questions and declined a field sobriety test. He was handcuffed for operating under the influence of liquor.

The town official who called 911 told police she saw Brooks parked at the end of her driveway, with the truck’s headlights shining into her bedroom. She said she turned on her outdoor lights, at which time Brooks drove up her driveway and parked in front of her garage. She told police Brooks was unsteady on his feet and looked as though he might fall.

The town official said Brooks walked around the truck, holding onto the side of it and walked to the front of the vehicle and stood there for a while. He then reportedly walked back toward the open driver’s side door and closed it before walking to the back of the vehicle and holding onto the tailgate before getting back into the truck. The official said Brooks then turned the vehicle around and drove to the end of the driveway.

Brooks reportedly requested emergency medical services en route to the State Police barracks but changed his mind and later refused treatment when EMTs arrived. A few minutes later, Ashley wrote, Brooks again requested medical treatment, stating he had chest pains, and was taken to Athol Hospital for further evaluation. Brooks reportedly consented to a blood test and at roughly 6:10 a.m. was discharged and transported to the Athol barracks for processing. 

According to Ashley, Brooks was initially uncooperative but eventually complied with the booking process. He is scheduled to return to court on March 14 for a pre-trial hearing.

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Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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