NORWAY – It’s going to take about two weeks longer than expected to investigate allegations concerning the conduct of Police Chief Tim Richards, Town Manager David Holt said.

Richards, 45, of Lovell, was placed on administrative leave March 4 after a scheduled hearing in 9th District Court in Bridgton on a protection from abuse order filed against him by former Norway police officer Cynthia M. Mitchell, 41, of Harrison.

The hearing was waived by Judge Andrew Horton when Richards agreed to a year’s continuance of the temporary order after a conference with Mitchell’s attorney.

The order was granted to Mitchell on Feb. 20 based on her allegations of harassment early this year and assault in August 2002. Mitchell, who was with the Norway Police Department from August 1999 to December 2002, said she and Richards had been seeing each other since the summer of 2002, and she broke off the relationship earlier this year.

Holt said he has talked to Mitchell in regards to the investigation and has sent Richards questions that he answered and returned.

“Then I sent him some more,” Holt said. “What I thought may take two weeks may turn into four weeks. In fairness to everyone concerned, I really can’t give a running update on who I have talked to and the mood they are in. “Tim has been very forthcoming,” Holt said.

Sgt. Rob Federico, the highest ranking officer in the department now, said it has been business as usual since Richards has been gone.

“Everybody has responsibilities, and they know what they are,” Federico said. “They are conscientious enough to supervise themselves.”

He said Richards held an administrative position, even though he spent time answering calls.

“You’d see him on the road. That was his nature. He enjoyed being a hands-on chief,” Federico said. “But, that doesn’t mean we’ve become dependent on him.”

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