City
Monmouth police chief accused of improperly trying to find out about post office box
MONMOUTH — The Attorney General's Office is investigating a complaint against the Monmouth police chief, who a town Planning Board member has accused of abuse of power.
According to a lawyer connected to the case, police Chief Robert Annese is accused of using the power of his position to track down the person who rented a post office box to which surveys about the Police Department had been mailed.
The person who rented that box, Planning Board member Ray Simond, had taken out an ad requesting that Monmouth residents fill out a survey with their thoughts on the Police Department and the budget.
"This is very disturbing," said attorney Walter McKee, who is representing Simond in the case. "This P.O. box was rented to gather information about what issues people had with the Monmouth police. The chief has no right to investigate people he thinks are critical of his department."
Simond sought feedback from the public after Monmouth residents rejected a new police budget in July. Residents mailed their surveys to a post office box labeled the "Monmouth Mailbag."
According to McKee, Annese filed a form to the post office requesting to know who had rented that particular box.
"The form says that the chief certified that the information is 'required for the performance of this agency's official duties,'" McKee said. "What official duties? Investigating critics?"
Monmouth residents are expected to vote on a police budget for a fifth time on Nov. 24. WGME reported that 60 percent of respondents to the survey expressed dissatisfaction with the Police Department.
Annese, who was hired as Monmouth police chief in 2006 after retiring from the police force in Brunswick, could not be located for comment Wednesday night. Simond did not immediately return telephone calls.
McKee said his client had been interviewed by investigators from the AG's Office who are looking into the allegations. The lawyer said he and his client found it alarming that steps were taken to uncover who was gathering input from the public in the survey.
""This is something right out of the 1950s — law enforcement using official powers to investigate critics," McKee said. "This is right out of the J. Edgar Hoover playbook and has no place in Monmouth or anywhere."
The lawyer said he and his client were concerned that the matter might dissuade people from openly sharing their thoughts in the future.
"There is no question," he said, "that this kind of activity by law enforcement has a chilling effect on people expressing their genuine opinions about the department."
mlaflamme@sunjournal.com
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ill bet he did it all in
ill bet he did it all in good faith. He was not sneeky about it. I pretty sure he didn't lie about it. The town of Monmonth is a bunch of cry babies. I cant wait to see how much you cry when responce times go up 10 minutes and lawlessness sneaks in. You wont be able to cry to your town manager. You have to go to the sheriff. CANT WAIT oh yea and nobody is perfect even you complainer. The difference is those police officer are warriors they are the backbone of this society you subconciously close you eyes at night feeling safe becasue in the back of your mind someone is looking out for you and nomatter how much of a complainer you are that cop will come at the drop of a hat to help you.
I agree with
I agree with notinmybackyard! Perhaps he was following up on a citizens request wanting to know if this was a scam or a real survey. If someone on the Town Board was doing a survey why not mail them to the Town Office? Someone other than the police Chief is acting fishy to me.
The people who complain the most about the police are those who have had run ins with them. But will ~itch the loudest if something happens to them and the police are perceived to be slow in responding.
I seem to remember another
I seem to remember another Chief up north who was faced with a similar charge while just having his officers check in on his family while he was out of town visiting his elderly mother on his days off. He and his family had been threatened many times by the local scumbags for doing his job and ridding the town of the human vermin, parasites and other oxygen thieves who preyed on the local citizenry. He was ousted as well so I would advise this Chief to be prepared to go down with his ship unless he can come up with a legitimate reason for his inquiry.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. " G. Orwell
Maybe he was investigating a
Maybe he was investigating a complaint brought to him by a citizen? Maybe a citizen asked if this was a scam? The funny thing with people and police is that 99% of the people that don't like them is usually because they have been caught breaking the law!
SCUMBAG
SCUMBAG
This happens all over.It
This happens all over.It sickens me to think that these people in there positions think there better than anyone else.It's all about power with these people.The real blame as I see it,is the people who are supposed to be watching over these people.The town manager,selectman.They are always held to different standards than everyday people.It's all about who is watching these people.Kudos to the planning board member to have the courage to expose this aledged corruption.If this is true,this chief in my opinion should resign.We all realize that police have to there job with reason.That means to be reasonable with every situation.Again it stems down to who's watching them and how often in my opinion.Unfotunately a few bad eggs can spoil the whole darn bunch.Hoefully the selectman filter this out swiftly.The people should demand it.
Finally, this should prove
Finally, this should prove to be the undoing of this department. No more intimidation tactics, no more aggressive police trainees pulling over cars unnecessarily, no more bored-to-tears cops shooting radar while hiding under willow trees. And now this ABOVE-THE-LAW-MENTALITY. We don't need this strong-arming in this quaint town. It kills the whole feel of Monmouth, this lovely dairy/agricultural town, when every time one goes into town and sees cops swarming around looking for something to do to justify their position. We are sending the message we don't want this! What don't they get? There are no municipal police in Turner, Leeds, Wales, Litchfield, Greene - even Gray - with a population almost 3 times the size of Monmouth! And they expect the town people to go back to a public vote while this guy is in the crowd watching who is voting him out. Let's sell that $70,000 four wheel drive truck bought with our tax money, close the doors and let us have our town back instead of us paying to live in Gestapo Land. I hope they prosecute this fraud to the fullest extent and let us have state and county protection, rather than the current power-hungry, controlling scenario.
verified I agree jayla. My experience
I agree jayla. My experience with the Monmouth Police Department has been nothing but positive. But then I don't drive 45mph through the middle of town, I register my vehicles and get them inspected when they are due, and I keep them maintained. MPD averages a 5 minute response time, which is outstanding for a rural area. I am, however, disappointed with these allegations being made about the chief.
Did you know that a crime is committed every 15 minutes and 30 seconds in the State of Maine? Murder is on the rise in this state, as are armed home invasions. This isn't the time to be doing away with the MPD.
John A. Chick
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)
You're absolutely right!
You're absolutely right! It's not time to eliminate the department. I truly hope the allegations are false.
I disagree. Chief Annese is
I disagree. Chief Annese is the most qualified Chief that town has had in at LEAST 20 years. It's sad the town is trying to push out the police department. They'll be sorry they did when they have to deal with the county, and slow response times.
They are ALREADY SAD with
They are ALREADY SAD with MPD and now this happens. You sheeple are in the minority. The majority sees through the facade. But, I guess they will have to vote a 5th time to prove it again.
verified First off he was wrong in
First off he was wrong in doing this and I can not think of and reason for doing it !Second of all the Man that started the whole thing in the paper and is a member of the planning board was wrong in doing so before this important vote they both need to go ! Now the town needs to pass the budjet get it over and deal with the two as they should be dealt with !! This is enough to make me want to sell everything I own in town ! Where are the Selectmen and how are they going to straighten this mess out !!! Your going to hear lots at their next meeting Im sure if their phones arent ringing already !!!
he is gonna get a slap on
he is gonna get a slap on the hand,with no discipline.
If true, certainly enough
If true, certainly enough for severe discipline if not outright dismissal.
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