The Maine State Police suspended Trooper Jacob Murphy-Canto for 15 weeks after an internal investigation concluded he struck a handcuffed woman in the face during an arrest on Sept. 12, 2025. The discipline decision, finalized Dec. 16, found the amount of force used was "not necessary under the totality of the circumstances," marking the agency's first sustained excessive‑force finding in at least a decade, according to records reviewed by The Maine Monitor and the Bangor Daily News.
Incident Details
According to the discipline record, Murphy-Canto was securing a shackled woman in the rear of his cruiser when she kicked him multiple times in the chest. The record states he responded by punching her twice in the face with a closed fist. Prosecutors later declined to file criminal charges.
Investigations and Findings
The matter was flagged during an internal review and referred by a troop commander to the Office of Professional Standards, the Maine State Police internal affairs unit. The agency placed Murphy-Canto on paid leave while it investigated allegations of excessive force and failure to de‑escalate. The state police also requested a "use of force analysis" from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA).
The MCJA concluded Murphy-Canto acted within the scope of his training and state law. Despite that, state police leadership determined the force violated department policy because it was unnecessary given the circumstances. Murphy-Canto has completed his suspension, returned to duty and is appealing the discipline, according to Rebecca Graham, director of policy and legislative affairs for the state police. A spokesperson declined further comment, calling the matter an ongoing personnel process.
Trooper Jacob Murphy-Canto poses with a cruiser in a photo posted to Facebook on Dec. 5, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Maine State Police.
Context: Previous Reporting and Related Cases
The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Maine State Police's handling of use‑of‑force complaints. Prior reporting by The Maine Monitor and the Bangor Daily News found the agency investigated 33 use‑of‑force complaints from 2015 through 2024 and did not sustain any as excessive.
That investigation highlighted a March 2024 arrest of Justin Savage in which video showed a trooper repeatedly punching a handcuffed man who was pinned to the ground. Savage suffered a broken nose and extensive facial injuries; prosecutors later dropped criminal charges. Internal review practices in that case drew criticism because an initial troop commander cleared the officer, internal affairs did not immediately investigate despite policy, and no discipline followed at the time. Savage and another person filed excessive‑force lawsuits last fall.
Responses and Next Steps
Sgt. Joseph Bureau, president of the Maine State Troopers Association, said the investigation showed Murphy-Canto followed his training and called the agency's decision a subjective management judgment. Col. William Ross requested the MCJA analysis. The Maine attorney general's office reviewed the case and declined prosecution.
The discipline record does not identify the arrested woman or explain the reason for her arrest. The case — together with the related lawsuits and earlier reporting — has intensified debate over how the Maine State Police investigate and discipline officers for use of force.
What we know: Trooper Jacob Murphy-Canto was disciplined after an internal inquiry found his response — punching a shackled, handcuffed woman — violated department policy. Prosecutors declined to charge, the MCJA found the trooper acted within training, and Murphy-Canto is appealing the suspension.
