BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday saying it will not suspend the city’s police chief or launch an investigation into the police department, disappointing victim advocates who want city leaders to address allegations of sexual abuse against a former officer.

The City Council met in executive session for 90 minutes Tuesday for the first time since the criminal case was closed and amid ongoing calls for action in response to the sexual abuse accusations that have led to tense city meetings for months. Supporters of alleged victims and advocates to end abuse have been urging city officials to put the police chief on leave and launch an investigation into the police department.

During public comments following the executive session, supporters of alleged victims vowed to continue their push for justice and political change during the November elections.

The meeting was the first time the council has met to talk about what to do now that the criminal case into the sexual abuse allegations made by Matt Lauzon against former police officer Stephen Dodd is closed.

Attorney General Janet Mills announced last week that her office would not file charges following a months-long investigation into Lauzon’s allegations that he was sexually abused by Dodd and resident Michael McKeown more than a decade ago.

The resolution approved by the council said that, after extensive review of evidence available to them, councilors agreed with the attorney general’s finding that Police Chief Roger Beaupre and the Biddeford Police Department appropriately referred allegations of sexual abuse by a former officer to the Attorney General’s Office.

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Councilor Roger Hurtubise, Lauzon’s uncle, excused himself from the vote.

Mayor Alan Casavant said last week he would forward to the council for consideration a 16-page letter submitted to the city by Lauzon. The letter is signed by former Biddeford police officer Bob Devoe and is critical of Beaupre’s handling of allegations against two now-retired officers.

Beaupre, through his attorney, on Monday released a statement that said he was “sorry to hear” no charges were filed, but he also criticized the alleged victim and his supporters for what Beaupre says are baseless charges of misconduct by himself and others.

The City Council also passed a resolution in June saying there wasn’t enough evidence to place Beaupre on leave.

Lauzon, a Biddeford native now living in Boston, has led an intense social media campaign to push for Beaupre to be put on administrative leave while an independent investigation of the police department is conducted. He has urged supporters to protest outside of the meeting to demand action by the City Council.

Lauzon didn’t attend Tuesday night’s meeting, upholding a promise he made to stay away after he recently forced the cancellation of a City Council meeting by repeatedly yelling at councilors.

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Before the meeting, about 50 protesters picketed outside of the high school to demand action by the City Council. Many of them carried signs that read “Staying strong together” and several wore tags identifying themselves as victims of abuse.

Among the protesters were about 15 veterans there to express their displeasure of a decision by city Councilor Marc Lessard to not say the Pledge of Allegiance before a recent council sub-committee meeting.

While the council was meeting in executive session, Lauzon used FaceTime to speak to the waiting audience from his home in Boston.

“Regardless of what they do tonight, justice will prevail,” he said. Lauzon and his attorney have said they will file a civil lawsuit against the city by the end of the year.

During the public comment session after the executive session, supporters of the alleged victims expressed their disappointment with the council.

“These people have been begging for help and nothing has happened,” resident Claudia Cantara said. “To me, there has to be something done to get justice for these people. … I wish something could be done for these poor victims who have cried out to you.”

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Former Mayor Joanne Twomey called councilors “cowards” for not suspending Beaupre.

“What you people are doing is not leadership,” she said. “You know this happened … and you’re covering up.”

Resident Brianna Gilbert said supporters will not back down, even if councilors continue to avoid the situation.

“Biddeford is fatally wounded right now because of your lack of action,” she said.

The City Council abruptly ended the meeting at 10:30 p.m. after resident Karl Reed Jr. swore at city officials during his comments about the council resolution. Several residents continued to speak to the audience as councilors and city officials left the meeting.


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