AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee Thursday voted 11-2 in favor of Major Craig Poulin as the next chief of the Maine State Police after testimony that was both glowing and condemning.

The nomination now heads to the Senate, which will vote on Gov. John Baldacci’s pick for the next chief.

The two committee members who voted against Poulin’s nomination are both retired state troopers: Rep. Paul Lessard, D-Topsham, and Rep. John Churchill, R-Washburn.

While Poulin drew impressive recommendations from many powerful people, Lessard said it’s clear from the negative testimony there are problems in the state police. “There’s a disconnect between the administration and the lower echelon. It was quite obvious,” Lessard said. Members of the current police administration lack “people person” abilities, he added. “That’s what the problem is.”

During testimony Wednesday, 14 people spoke for Poulin’s nomination, including such high-ranking officials as Public Safety Commissioner Michael Cantara, Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky, Attorney General Steven Rowe and the president of the Maine State Troopers Association.

Seven spoke against Poulin’s nomination, including two retired state troopers and two current troopers. They said support from the troopers union did not come from the rank-and-file, but rather from the six-member executive board.

Trooper Kevin Kern told lawmakers an informal poll was taken among union members, and that 83 percent opposed Poulin as chief. The poll was done by phone and e-mail after the union’s executive board refused to poll members, Kern said.

Trooper Ronald Brooks of Waterboro said the administration, including Poulin while head of Internal Affairs, “has led this department not through leadership and earned respect, but through fear and intimidation. They’ve systematically harassed and discriminated against troopers that are members of the National Guard and Army Reserve because of time and money we cost the department.”

Brooks said Poulin has discriminated against military troopers by doing things like trying to deny paid leave. “This administration provides no support for active military members, and it goes out of its way to make things as hard as possible for them.”

After false accusations were made against him, Brooks said he spent $1,000 for a lawyer, “and my wife was in tears for weeks.”

As he spoke Brooks began to cry. He testified against Poulin, “knowing I’m painting a target on my forehead.”

Kern said Poulin and the administration have, through the Internal Affairs unit, “used intimidation, coercion and outright threats to stifle people from speaking out.”

At times Internal Affairs “has failed to investigate allegations of serious misconduct, including sexual harassment, particularly when members of the state police command staff act inappropriately.”

The Criminal Justice Committee reconvened early Thursday and cast its 11-2 vote recommending Poulin’s nomination to the full Senate.

Lee Umphrey, spokesman for Gov. Baldacci, on Thursday dismissed the criticism of Poulin, saying it came from “a small group” of discontented individuals.

“They put forward their opinion,” but there was overwhelming support from many others, Umphrey said. Anyone who heads an internal affairs unit “is not going to make everybody happy. He’s tough, but he’s fair.”

The seven hours of testimony spent on Poulin’s nomination Wednesday “was excessive, but it’s good to be thorough,” Umphrey added. He said Baldacci and Commissioner Cantara were pleased with the 11-2 committee vote, “and we’re looking forward to Senate confirmation and moving ahead.”

Meanwhile committee member Lessard said he will push for an evaluation of the Department of Public Safety.

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