BETHEL – The 31-page lawsuit by police Chief Darren M. Tripp against the town and Manager Scott Cole is laced with multiple allegations by both sides.

The document was filed Dec. 3 in U.S. District Court in Portland and unexpectedly released by Cole at Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

In it, the chief cites Cole’s allegation that Tripp’s “serious” job deficiencies, poor judgment, lack of ethics and lack of respect for the law led to his 33-day paid suspension last March.

Tripp claims the town manager initiated a campaign to discredit him. He and his attorney, Thomas S. Carey, of Rumford claim the nature and gravity of Cole’s complaints “were based largely upon hearsay statements and stale complaints.”

The chief is seeking at least $250,000 for emotional and physical problems caused by Cole’s conduct.

Cole said Tuesday that he was doing his job when he suspended Tripp.

“I don’t do vendettas,” he said. “My job as the town manager is to ensure that employees under my supervision are performing their jobs properly in a professional manner.”

He defended the decision to release the documents, saying they’re public record.

“I’m surprised the town released it,” Carey said, “but if selectmen release some of the information, they should release it all.”

He was referring to a transcript of a phone conversation between Cole and Tripp that the chief reportedly taped without the town manager’s knowledge.

Tripp declined to discuss the lawsuit Tuesday, referring questions to Carey.

“Tape recording conversations” with Cole and other town officials without the other parties’ knowledge, not related to police work, played back for “the presumed entertainment of civilians,” is one of several behaviors Cole faults in the documents.

Others in the lawsuit include:

• Negligent police work in September 2000 for reportedly not investigating a pornography complaint. The subject of the complaint was convicted of gross sexual assault more than two years later.

• “Lethargic and uninspired” police investigative work of a family dog shooting in April 1999 and no follow-up work on a 2001 burglary of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce building.

• Public display of a long-barrel firearm at a school dance outside of the building entrance.

• Displaying fake bullet hole decals on the trunk of his town-owned cruiser.

• Allowing his wife to drive the cruiser, operate police computers, and use the police blue lights installed in his private vehicle.

• Committing burglary and theft during a security check at Telstar High School’s wood shop classroom.

• Two complaints of inappropriate comments of a sexual nature.

Whistle Blower Act

Tripp alleges his suspension was an unlawful retaliatory and discriminatory practice under the Maine Whistle Blower Act for refusing to rescind an issued summons.

On Oct. 1, 2002, Tripp reported to Animal Control Officer Ozzie Hart that he saw a black poodle running loose. Hart summoned the dog owner, who complained to Cole, who then ordered Hart to “make the ticket go away,” the suit alleges.

Hart refused. Cole then told Tripp to get the summons dismissed, but the chief and Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor declined to revoke the citation, according to the document.

In May 2003, Cole acknowledged he asked Hart to drop the summons.

The dog owner pleaded guilty and paid a $72 fine.

But it wasn’t until after Tripp reported the summons incident to two selectmen that he was suspended.

Tripp joined the department in 1989 and became chief in 1998. He had never been subject to a disciplinary action prior to the March 17 suspension.

Cole was hired as town manager in 1999.

Calls Tuesday to attorney Anne M. Carney of Portland, who is representing Cole and the town through its insurance carrier, the Maine Municipal Association Risk Pool, were not immediately returned.

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