NORWAY — A Maine State Police trooper who had been on administrative leave with pay since March 7 has resigned, Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland confirmed in an email Wednesday.

Trooper Ronald Turnick tendered his resignation Monday, McCausland said. The trooper, who patrolled Oxford County, had been on an open-ended leave.

McCausland said at the time that Turnick’s leave was the result of a personnel matter, which was under review, and that he was not permitted to discuss the matter under Maine’s employment privacy laws. McCausland wasn’t able to say whether there were any disciplinary actions on Turnick’s employment record.

On Wednesday, McCausland said the review of the personnel matter will not be completed because of Turnick’s resignation, adding, “There have been no referrals to any prosecutors.”

Turnick was with the Maine State Police 8½ years. Before that, he was an officer in Ohio. He graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro in October 2006.

While working in Ohio, Turnick was reprimanded for refusing to assist a citizen who flagged him down to report an armed robbery.

According to the written reprimand dated May 31, 2006, Turnick was flagged down by a motorist who had been delivering pizza and had been robbed at gunpoint by two men. Turnick advised the “victim that he (Turnick) was in route for a DUI; that he did not have time, and for him to drive to the place of business and contact the police from there.”

Turnick did not call dispatch to report this conversation.

According to the reprimand, this was an unusual departure from Turnick’s prior “exceptional” performance on the job. He was counseled on proper procedure, and received no further disciplinary action.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Report: Maine health both good and bad; county rankings shift

Next »

Norway brewery to open in historic trolley depot