NORWAY – Police Chief Tim Richards has been fired.

The five-member Board of Selectmen announced its decision Thursday, unanimously backing Town Manager David Holt’s earlier action.

Richards “willingly placed himself in a position and engaged in behavior that reflected poorly on his person, the town and the position of chief of police,” stated a four-page report released after the meeting.

One by one, selectmen signed the report Thursday before more than 30 people. There were no questions and no debate.

“I’m burned out after the last 10 days,” Selectman Robert Walker said moments later.

The controversy began on Feb. 20, when former Norway Patrol Officer Cynthia M. Mitchell, 41, of Kimball Road in Harrison, got a temporary protection from abuse order against Richards, whom she had been dating since 2001.

Mitchell alleged that Richards assaulted her in August of 2002 and harassed her earlier this year, after their relationship ended. She worked for the department from August 1999 to December 2002.

On March 4, a judge in the 9th District Court in Bridgton continued Mitchell’s order for a year with Richards’ agreement. On the same day, Holt suspended Richards, 44, of Bradley Pond Road in Lovell.

According to the new report, Holt fired Richards 18 days later.

When called Thursday night, Richards said “All I’ve done is try to help people and make things right. I did nothing wrong here.”

For her part, Mitchell said she didn’t want any of this to happen. “He was my boss,” she said. “He was my friend. All I wanted was for him to stop calling me.”

According to the selectmen’s report, “Findings of Facts and Decision,” Richards appealed his discharge. He was given a hearing on April 7.

Selectmen heard both Richards and Holt and deliberated the following day.

Among their findings were:

Richards showed “extreme poor judgment in having a relationship with a subordinate employee.” Though there was “significant evidence” that it was causing him problems, he continued it anyway.

The board also decided that the actions would prevent him from having the respect of townspeople.

Finally, the selectmen upheld Holt’s authority to discharge the chief.

Richards has been in trouble before. On June 6, 2001, he was arrested and charged with assaulting his ex-wife, Patricia.

The alleged assault happened in the parking lot of the New Suncook School in Lovell, where Patricia was picking up the couple’s youngest son. At the time, he was taken into custody he was served with a protection from abuse order obtained by his ex-wife for an earlier incident.

After he was arrested he was placed on administrative leave. His case was filed on Feb. 5, 2002 in Franklin County Superior Court in Farmington with the stipulation that no further action would be taken if he had no other incidents over the next six months.

Richards joined the Norway Police Department in 1995 and became acting chief in 1998. He was named chief in 1999. A native of Bar Harbor, he served in Rye, N.H., for nine years before coming to Norway.

“He was a good chief,” Mitchell said. “All I wanted was to be left alone.”
[email protected]