Former Hartford police sergeant convicted of improper use of force

HARTFORD —  A retired Hartford police sergeant was convicted Thursday of assault for his use of force against a man involved in a confrontation with officers following a 2016 pursuit. State police said Sean Spell, 46, of East Hartford has been charged with one count of assault in the third degree. Spell received a one-year suspended jail sentence and will be on probation for two years. He must also perform 25 hours of community service while on probation. The charges against [&he