Former Officer Benjamin Beauchemin Fired After DWI Charge

HOOKSETT

Former Hooksett police officer Benjamin Beauchemin refused comment last night after the police commission publicly announced that his employment with the department had been terminated.

Neither Beauchemin nor his union-appointed attorney, Bill Cahill, responded when asked if they anticipated this outcome or if they intend to appeal the commission's decision.

Commission Chairman Dave Gagnon said the firing is effective immediately, but refused to shed light on how the group arrived at the decision.

"(Beauchemin) is the one who wanted it non-public, so that's where it's staying," Gagnon said.

►Police officer won on technicality

Beauchemin has been on administrative leave without pay since last May, when he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

According to police records, Beauchemin flipped his Jeep Liberty off Cedar Crest Lane in Auburn at about 1:15 a.m. May 11 into a private yard after returning home from Manchester. Court testimony revealed that Beauchemin left the scene of the accident while police were summoned by eyewitnesses. He admitted to drinking four beers at his girlfriend's house nearby in the time it took emergency responders to arrive in Auburn.

Records indicate he refused an on-site sobriety test.

In September, he was found not guilty by a district court judge, who cited insufficient evidence to convict. Judge David LeFrancois said that although Beauchemin's off-duty conduct was not fitting of a police officer, state prosecutors had not definitely proven beyond reasonable doubt that he had been drinking in excess before operating the vehicle.

After the court decision, Hooksett Police Chief Steve Agrafiotis ordered an internal investigation that considered evidence not permissible in court, including 911 recordings.

Last night, Gagnon would not comment on how the commission reached its decision.

According to the department's personnel procedures, any employee under disciplinary scrutiny has the option of opening police commission hearings to the public. Beauchemin and his counsel chose to keep those meetings closed.

If Beauchemin chooses to appeal the commission's sentence, an outside arbitrator will review the case facts and recommend a non-binding decision to the police commission, which the commission may choose to follow or reject.

Beauchemin joined the Hooksett Police Department in 2007 after a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.