Saco Police Chief Ray Demers
SACO — Police Chief Raynald “Ray” Demers will be retiring later this month.
In a May 31 letter to City Administrator Kevin Sutherland, Demers stated that he would be retiring effective June 14.
Demers said in the letter he has worked nearly 35 years in the department, and has worked his way to chief and attained many of the goals he had set out to achieve.
“I feel this is a good time to move on and experience new things, and also a good time to allow other leaders in the police department to flourish,” said Demers.
Demers said he was honored to have served such a wonderful community and thanked Sutherland for his support and trust in him.
“I cannot overstate how important your continued belief in my ability to lead the Saco Police Department and your trust that I always had the city and the police department’s best interest in mind means to me,” said Demers.
Demers said he felt confident that the city could find a replacement within the police ranks who would continue the progress made under his leadership.
Demers and Deputy Police Chief Corey Huntress were reinstated to their positions two weeks ago after being on administrative leave for more than two months.
Sutherland put the two men on administrative leave on March 15. A few days later, Sutherland adressed the issue at a City Council workshop on March 18, at which he referred to a number of internal statements and allegations, and said he felt it would be best to “put some space between everyone” and bring in a third-party investigator to ensure a fair and just review.
The City Council took over jurisdiction of the investigation on March 25.
On May 20, the city announced the investigation had resulted in no findings of misconduct and the two would return back to work later that week.
Although the investigation reported no evidence of misconduct, two local police unions in a joint letter stated they were disappointed to hear the chief and deputy, whom they said were unfit to lead a police department, were being reinstated.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
