Police: Complaint doesn't merit charges

Havre police investigated a complaint that a Havre Middle School teacher used unnecessary force in handling a student and have closed the case without bringing charges.

The police closed the case after the city attorney's office reviewed the police investigation, a Police Department press release said today.

The matter also was investigated by the school, which found that the teacher acted appropriately, Havre Public Schools Superintendent Kirk Miller said last week.

After the complaint was filed, Assistant Police Chief Mike Barthel said last week that police would have to determine whether the teacher's actions went beyond the force allowed in the state law governing the "justifiable use of force" by parents and teachers.

The complaint alleged an assault at the middle school on March 7, police said.