The Norway chief of police blames others for a pattern of alarming behavior.

Last week, a woman asked a court for a protection order against Norway Police Chief Tim Richards. She alleged that Richards, her former boss, won’t stop calling her and that he has assaulted her.

The woman says she and the chief have had a “quasi-dating” relationship since sometime in 2002, and her allegation of harassment is documented in convincing detail in court documents.

But here’s the real red flag: Another women made similar charges three years ago.

In June of 2001, Richards was arrested for allegedly assaulting his former wife. He pleaded not guilty and the charges were eventually shelved with the stipulation that there be no further incidents over the next six months.

The town manager put the chief on administration leave at that time, he looked into the matter, had a psychiatric work-up done and pronounced Chief Richards fit for duty.

Then the town manager issued an open letter to the residents of Norway explaining that Richards was a “good police officer” and that the “town will not tolerate any further action of this type in the future.”

All of which means something happened, and whatever happened had better not happen again. Plain and simple.

Contacted last week about this recent accusation, Town Manager David Holt dismissed that earlier warning. Concerning the current protective order, Holt told the Sun Journal: “It doesn’t affect the town and has nothing to do with me.”

That’s where Holt is dead wrong. The chief works for the town manager. The chief is in charge of setting an example for the other officers in the department and in making sure they treat abuse complaints seriously.

Holt’s response not only contradicts his 3-year-old warning to the chief, it sends some very disturbing messages.

Holt may find this all difficult or inconvenient, but he should think of how it affects the town’s residents, particularly women in abusive relationships.

Are abusers in Norway getting the message that accusations of abuse are not important? Moreover, do women in Norway have confidence that Richards and his department will take accusations of abuse seriously?

Domestic violence is difficult for any woman to report. Would a woman in an abusive relationship feel confident calling the Norway police knowing that the chief himself has faced serious abuse and harassment charges?

Worse, can women have confidence when neither the chief nor the town manager seem to understand the gravity of the matter?

The chief’s response is a classic. There’s none of the usual bravado about waiting for his day in court. Nor does the chief deny the woman’s charges.

Instead, in an e-mail response sent to the Sun Journal and printed Wednesday, the chief employs every tactic of transference in the book. That’s right, he’s the victim here.

“I am guilty of not falling in love with a certain person. I am guilty of trying to be someone’s friend through good times and bad. But I couldn’t give anymore than that.”

Which means what? It’s her fault?

“In all honesty, the press has never been honest, compassionate or true in its reporting of my life.”

Which means what? It’s the media’s fault?

“I have spent 20 years in law enforcement and have seen more than anyone deserves to see.”

Which means what? It’s your job’s fault?

And regarding those 20 years: “No one will care about that. They just want me there when they need me, and don’t care about me when they don’t.”

Which means what? It’s the public’s fault?

Here’s a message, chief:

Quit whining. Your job may be difficult. The media may be nuisance and the public may not give you the respect you think you deserve. You may wear a badge and carry a gun. You may be bigger and stronger than the women in your life.

But no woman should have to ask a court for protection from you. No woman should have to live in fear of you or endure harassment.

As you probably know from the police training tapes and seminars, women who do endure abuse too often end up dead. It’s happened here, and it’s happened across Maine.

That’s why any complaint of harassment or abuse is serious. Two different women looking for help is a pattern.

That’s bad for any man. But it’s intolerable in a man charged with enforcing the law.

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