JAY – Both Jay and Livermore Falls police departments conducted internal investigations after a 2004 complaint of excessive force was lodged. Police officials found no wrongdoing by officers, and that they operated within state and local guidelines.
They turned the reports over to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees as required by law.
Scott C. Therrien, 36, of Jay filed a lawsuit with the Franklin County Superior Court on Wednesday claiming excessive force by police. He is asking the court to award him $250,000 for injuries he says he suffered Feb. 27, 2004, while being arrested. He alleges he suffered broken teeth, significant facial injuries and neck problems, among other things.
Therrien, who led police on slow-speed chase from south Jay to North Jay after erratic-driving complaints were received, claims in his suit that he was calm and acted peacefully when he stopped the truck, but police used excessive force during the arrest.
Jay Police Chief Larry White Sr. and Livermore Falls Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. both said Friday the complaints were investigated. Livermore Falls police assisted Jay police in the incident.
“We did an internal investigation,” White said, and the officers were found to have done nothing wrong and were “working within the department’s policy.”
Steward said his department’s investigation in 2004 of officer Steve Gould, the only officer identified by name in Therrien’s suit, exonerated Gould.
“The investigation revealed that the officer was acting within the scope of his job properly,” Steward said. “He took what force was necessary to effect the arrest and followed all procedures and guidelines, both state and local.”
Police are required to conduct internal investigations of excessive-force complaints and file reports with state police academy trustees, Steward said.
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