BIDDEFORD — Those demanding the suspension or removal of Biddeford’s police chief and deputy chief over the handling of sex abuse allegations against a former officer more than a decade ago must provide written statements and hard evidence, Mayor Alan Casavant said Thursday.

Casavant issued a statement outlining his position early Thursday. Hours later, a majority of about 20 people who spoke at a 7 p.m. hearing asked the City Council to place Chief Roger Beaupre on paid administrative leave, arguing that alleged victims would then feel more comfortable about coming forward.

Casavant adjourned the meeting abruptly after about 90 minutes, interrupting a couple of city councilors who tried to speak and drawing howls of protest from the crowd, mostly critics of Casavant and the council who want an immediate response to the sexual abuse allegations, which the Attorney General’s Office continues to investigate.

Matthew Lauzon and other alleged abuse victims, along with supporters who include state Sen. David Dutremble, have called for the suspension or termination of Beaupre and Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk at previous council meetings.

“If Sen. Dutremble or anybody else can show us any shred of misconduct by any current city employee – and I emphasize the word ‘current’ – then the council and I will act swiftly and appropriately,” Casavant said in his written statement. “What I am suggesting is that submitting hard and factual evidence is a much more effective and direct route to justice than whispers, hysteria and innuendo posted indiscriminately on Facebook.”

Casavant said he would prefer affidavits or notarized statements, but would also accept signed statements, which would be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office. Both Dutremble and Lauzon said Thursday they would not provide such statements.

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Daniel Parenteau, a Biddeford resident, said at the meeting that placing Beaupre on administrative leave would also ease the pressure on the chief.

“Placing an employee on administrative leave is not an indictment,” Parenteau said. “In the business world, paid administrative leave is a gift. It protects the accused as well as the accuser.”

Former Biddeford City Councilor Fred Staples, who now lives in Standish, urged the council to take action. Waiting for the state to complete its investigation only hurts the alleged victims, he said.

“If I was still in a councilor position, I’d be making a move to have the chief placed on paid leave,” Staples said. “This is all new territory and it’s weird stuff. But, please find it in your hearts to understand that this is not an indictment of the chief. Make him step aside so the victims can feel comfortable coming forward.”

Lauzon, 30, initially used social media to make public allegations that he was abused by former police officer Stephen Dodd as a teenager. Since then, others have stepped forward to say that they, too, were abused by former city police officers.

“We want the truth,” Casavant said in his statement. “If anybody can show us the slightest indication that the chief or deputy chief mishandled these complaints then by all means, please do.”

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Dutremble, who did not attend the meeting, responded to Casavant’s request in a statement Thursday, saying that the alleged victims do not trust city officials, whom they believe “will support the efforts of those accused.”

He said the police chief should be placed on paid leave to allow for an “unbiased investigation” into the allegations.

Lauzon also responded, saying that as long as the chief and deputy chief are in place, people do not feel comfortable making statements, and he reiterated an offer to speak with the council privately.

He said the mayor has denied that offer, saying it would be illegal, though Lauzon doesn’t agree.

“All we’re asking for is paid administrative leave, which can clearly be communicated (as) intended to make survivors feel comfortable coming forward and is not an admission of guilt,” he wrote.

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey in Biddeford contributed to this story.

Leslie Bridgers can be contacted at 791-6364 or at:

lbridgers@pressherald.com

Twitter: lesliebridgers


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