About 31 years ago, when Michael Richard was a patrolman with the Rumford Police Department, Chief Stanley Wagnis “grounded” him for failing to use common sense when chasing a suspect.

Twenty-six years ago, Richard was suspended for six days after an incident inside a paint store involving a handgun. Twenty-five years ago, he earned another suspension for loaning out police uniforms. Twenty-three years ago, he admitted striking a man with a closed fist during an arrest.

Thirteen years ago, he was stripped of his sergeant rank for endangering other officers and a juvenile prisoner. A week ago, he was sentenced to 180 days in jail – all suspended – for criminal threatening, stemming from a domestic incident in Rumford last July.

Yet Richard is still a police officer, despite his spotty employment record and, now, a criminal conviction. His employer, the town of Mexico, is waiting for a review of Richard’s police certification by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy before making a final judgment on his future.

The evidence on Richard seems clear. His conviction, albeit on reduced charges, must give town officials serious pause before allowing him to resume law enforcement duty. And given his extensive history of violations, it’s certainly arguable Richard should never don a police uniform again.

If the MCJA strips Richard of his certification, the argument is moot, and we urge the agency to analyze his suitability for duty carefully, and consider the breadth of the incidents involving him dating back more than three decades, not merely his recent conviction, in rendering its decision.

Richard, and the scandal inside the Wilton Police Department as well, has posed questions about policing in Western Maine, and could shake public confidence in the men and women who work honestly in public service, and enforce the laws of Maine dutifully and honorably.

The public demands more of its law enforcement than what occurred in Wilton, or what was perpetrated by Richard. The spectacle of shoddy investigation practices in Wilton only came to light, for example, after diligent review by the town’s new chief of veteran officers who each should have known better.

On Friday, town officials announced the entire department had resigned. This unprecedented action sent a crystalline message to residents, and other law enforcement agencies, that poor policing practices are unacceptable.

It’s the right message. Honest policework is an expectation of every member of society, and taxpayers expect their hard-earned dollars are supporting departments staffed by dedicated law enforcement officers interested in serving the public, and abiding the laws they’re sworn to protect.

But aberrations will occur. When they do, it’s up to police to police themselves as forcefully, and thoroughly, as we expect they would do for us. Wilton has provided a shining example.

Richard is next.