Pelham officer fired for misconduct

PELHAM - A town police officer accused of numerous violations of department policy has been fired, the town announced on Wednesday.

Officer Eugene Stahl was terminated as of Tuesday.
Stahl, a Pelham officer for 12 years, was the focus of a public disciplinary hearing before selectmen last month, where he was accused of: Loudly berating a female drunken-driving suspect in a profanity-laced interrogation.


Drawing his gun on two apparently unarmed teens during a traffic stop.
Being heard by a Pelham police dispatcher on the radio speaking in a profane manner toward his superior officer, Lt. Brian McCarthy, and broadcasting his desire to punch one female civilian he encountered on duty "right in the face."

Crashing his cruiser while driving with unnecessary and "life-threatening" speed - at 50 mph above the listed 30 mph limit, according to the state police accident reconstruction team's report - en route to become the third officer to respond to a Pelham homeowner's complaint.
The town said in a statement issued by Pelham police that there will be no further comment on the dismissal.
Attorney David Slawsky, representing Stahl before selectmen,said during the meeting that Police Chief Joseph Roark was attempting "to hang his case on four or five minutes of video in the 12-year career of this very fine police officer."