WILTON
A veteran police officer and K-9 handler working for the Franklin County Sheriff's Department is on paid administrative leave after being arrested over the weekend on a charge of operating under the influence, a misdemeanor.
Christopher Chase, 33, of Wilton was pulled over by Wilton Police Officer Joshua King for a traffic violation on Main Street in East Wilton late Friday night. Chase was off-duty in his own vehicle and was on his way home when he was stopped, according to Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike.
No information was available on the arrest from Wilton police. Several attempts to reach Chief Dennis Brown by phone, through the Franklin County dispatch office and a Wilton officer were not successful.
Pike said Brown called him at home after the incident to inform him about the arrest.
"(Chase) is on paid administrative leave ... and we will be moving ahead with an internal investigation by the staff," Pike said.
He said Chase is a good officer who has served the county well since he was hired three years ago. Chase formerly worked for the town of Farmington and the Kennebec County Sheriff's Department and it was at that time he was shot in the chest during an investigation of a domestic assault. His bulletproof vest saved his life, officials said at the time.
Chase, contacted at home, declined to comment.
Franklin County sheriff's Cpl. Steve Charles, the shop steward for the Teamsters local representing the deputies, said he has been in touch with Chase, but had not yet been informed by Pike that an internal investigation was planned.
"This will be governed by the contract and department policies," Charles said. "It will go along the same lines as the grievance process."
"We have started discussions and we will work on Chris' behalf," Charles said. "He is a good officer and one of our better-trained."
The contract lays out rules and a time line following a suspension as well as the steps and time frame for an appeal, if one is sought, he said. As in a grievance, an internal investigation decision can be appealed to the county commissioners and ultimately, to the Maine Labor Relations Board.
A hearing on the criminal charges is set for Jan. 22 in Farmington District Court.
6 comments:
I think its extremely funny that people think its "good cops gone bad" well, being from the law enforcement field, I do agree to punshiment for what you have done wrong weither it was me, a fellow officer or a public figure, you are breaking the law, get caught, you should be resposible for your actions yes.... but the public has to remember that cops have lives outside of being cops. was it bad judgment yes... should punished for what he did. should it be in the public eye. probably not. but the officer that caught him is patting himself on the back I am sure. Wilton Cops are not the best in the league or anywhere close. They are more like the bat boys for the bad news bears.
I also agree there is no excuse and we all no matter who you are should be diciplined for the bad judgements we make,but still our officers are human and yes do have private lives and are no different than anyone except for their jobs.Which their job is EXTREMELY stressful,many lose their families for the long hours and lose many friends.In this case Officer Chase has alittle extra on his plate I'm sure.Has his superiors taken care to make sure Chase isnt suffering from PTSD result of the shooting.He not only serves and protects but he also served his country straight out of high school.Sometimes we have to step back and look at the big picture.Does this justify drinking and driving no absolutely not but maybe probabtion or community service,one thing I do feel very strongly is he doesn't need to be chastized in the public square.Stop pointing fingers and wake up,be there with a helping hand,see how harmful this is.I'm sure he is beating himself up,he does not need you to do it for him.
My opinion from Florida should count.
Former LE here as well. Chase used to work in Wilton, but they fired the whole department there and have ZERO veterans left on that staff so no surprise a rookie nailed him. Shit like this can be better handled internally. The cop that arrested him is an asshole. Summons him maybe, arrested....asshole. It should have never gone external.
What was this Wilton police officer thinking, rookies seriously that wilton cop must hate life what an asshole. Deputy Chase is a great person and law enforcement officer too. Its pretty clear that Officer King has no clue on how handle any situation.
Officer King thinks that he has something to prove to the town of wilton. He has pulled over several people in my family for no reason. one being my brother. Who is a teenager whith a larger truck. He has gotten pulled over several times for "loud Exhaust" there is nothing illegal about his truck. He was down shifting and that was it. It was an excuse to pull over a teenager cause he might have been drunk. He has requsted to search my brothers truck without justification stating "there have been some vechile robberies and we are searching every car we pull over for the goods" no. he was looking to hopefully find something to prove that he is a worthy cop to the town of wilton. There is no justification for what Chris did. He knows he was wrong. He has had a lot put on his plate and I think PTSD should be looked at as well. My husband is an Iraq veteran and PTSD sure can make a person "fuzzy" when it comes to many asspects of life. Chris is a great cop and the county would be at a loss without him and his skills. Wilton maybe should find a few cops that are worth the time and money that the town pays them. We went from veteran cops who didnt do their jobs to a bunch of young guns out to save the world.. all they do is harass people. Maybe they should try the city... more chances to be the heros they are all looking to be.
Update on this: the arresting officer missed a hearing, rescheduled another, and due to a "mix-up" on what time to show up, showed up late to the last hearing (even though he was in the building and had been in the hearing room already), so the hearing officer dismissed the charges. Officer Chase beat the rap. These dirty cops and prosecutors need to be stopped!
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