A Hingham police officer has
been placed on paid administrative leave following allegations of a domestic
abuse incident in Hull.
According to a press release
sent by the Hingham Police Department, Officer Justin Burns, 30, from Hull, is
on paid leave pending the results of an internal investigation by the Hingham
police, separate from a criminal investigation in Hull.
Burns has been an officer in
Hingham since 2008. The leave of absence took effect this past Monday,
following his arrest on the same day in Hull related to an alleged domestic
dispute.
Officers were dispatched to the residence shortly thereafter, where they arrested Burns and brought him to the police station.
Burns was charged with four
counts domestic assault and battery, according to the records.
Burns was arraigned in Hingham
District Court on Tuesday. He was released under personal recognizance and will
appear in court again on June 25.
While the investigation is
ongoing, Hingham Town Administrator Ted Alexiades suggested that people
withhold judgment on the matter.
“The Hingham Police Department
has placed the officer on paid administrative leave pending the outcome in the
charges in Hull. In addition we’ll conduct our own internal investigation. I
caution everybody not to jump to any conclusions. Let the process play out in
fairness to everyone involved,” Alexiades said.
Hingham Police Chief Michael
Peraino was not available for comment Thursday.