RUMFORD – Before selectmen consider a request by Mexico Police Chief Jim Theriault to allow processing his department’s prisoners at the Rumford lockup, they want approval by Mexico selectmen.

The decision came after a sometimes caustic exchange between Theriault and Rumford Police Chief Tim Bourassa.

“They’ve got their own departments,” Bourassa said of Mexico and Dixfield police after Theriault asked why his police officers could not process prisoners in Rumford. “Mexico and Dixfield have their own PDs. They can process and bail prisoners out of their departments.”

Both Mexico and Dixfield had had contracts with the Rumford department to provide dispatching services and access to processing prisoners until recently. Both departments have since used the dispatching service provided by the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department at no cost.

With the change in dispatch service providers, and the loss of revenue, neither Mexico nor Dixfield officers are allowed to use the Rumford lockup.

Theriault said the Rumford department would not be responsible for looking after prisoners because the Mexico police officer would be present until the prisoner was either bailed, or transported to the Oxford County Jail in Paris.

Bourassa said he might consider an arrangement for allowing use of the lockup for a reasonable amount of money, adding, “They have their own PD, they can keep them there. Why he wants to come over here is beyond me.”

Theriault then left the room.

“This is not over,” said board Chairman Jim Thibodeau.

“If there is a contract, are you opposed?” Thibodeau asked Bourassa.

“In a way I am. Then we’re liable. Do you want to open up the jail to the PDs again? This is strictly a monetary matter,” said Bourassa.

No further action will be taken until the Mexico Board of Selectmen approve Theriault’s request.

Selectman Jolene Lovejoy added, “When both towns withdrew, they knew the consequences.”

eadams@sunjournal.com

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