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 in late January.

Charles J. Brooks, 39, of Amherst Road in 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 Ashley, she was dispatched to South Main Street for a report of a suspicious person and vehicle at roughly 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 22. Ashley arrived to find Trooper Cliff Desrosena and Kevin Doyle already there, 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, the arrest narrative states. Brooks, seated in a white GMC Sierra truck, was also noted as having glossy, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. According to Ashley’s report, Brooks eventually handed his wallet to Desrosena to get 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 the 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 report states.

The town official told police that Brooks walked around the truck while holding onto the side of it, and stood in front of the vehicle for a while. He then reportedly walked back to the open driver’s side door and closed it before walking to the back of the truck and holding onto the tailgate. The town official said Brooks then got back in the truck, 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’s report states, Brooks again requested 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’s report, Brooks was initially uncooperative but eventually complied with the booking process. He is scheduled to return to court on March 14 for a pretrial hearing.

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

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