Residents took part in solving and acting out a fake crime as part of the academy.
LEWISTON – To teach average citizens the complexities of evidence investigation this year, police wanted as much realism as possible.
Instead of just good guys and bad guys, the mock scenario Tuesday night stuck closer to a real life script.
There were hysterical victims and troublesome bystanders. There were obnoxious reporters and confused witnesses. Leads turned out to be bogus and a few innocent witnesses turned belligerent when questioned by the cops.
There were loud drunks hindering the investigation and plenty of people giving police fake names. All the real world headaches police say go with the territory of criminal justice.
A regular event as part of the Lewiston Citizen Police Academy, the mock crime scene this year was staged at the Cellar Door in Auburn. The story line, created by police Detective David Chick, mimicked the type of crime patrol cops and detectives are frequently called to.
A woman in a downtown apartment reported two men burst into her apartment, shoved her to the ground and tied her hands. The suspects then ransacked the place, making off with easily carried loot.
The victim of this heinous crime was Harriet Nice, known in the real world as Bunny Gregoire of Greene. She was near tears as she told police what had happened.
“They took my jewelry and my purse,” the shaken victim said. “They tied me up, but not very well.”
Ryan Gagnon, concerned nephew of the victim, flew into a rage when he got to the scene.
“They took my uncle’s gun! What’s going on here? I’m sorry, but I’m very upset right now. We’re the victims and someone should tell us what’s going on.”
Class participants assumed the roles of patrol officers or detectives and clues began to emerge. A bloody knife was found in a hall. Beer bottles were found strewn outside the crime scene. The crew of investigators began to photograph and label the evidence.
Witnesses began to develop. A local pawn shop owner reported a pair of suspicious men had tried to sell him a gun. A store clerk reported selling beer to two men who matched the description of the suspects.
A hat described by one witness led investigators to B.S. Construction where the business owner was less than pleased to see the cops.
“I want to talk to my lawyer. I’m going to sue all of you,” said bar owner Paul Morency, playing the role of the combative suspect. “This is harassment and you’ll be hearing from my lawyer Joe Bornstein.”
Things heated up when it was discovered Morency had a gun stuffed in the back of his pants. Detective Chick explained to the group how the scene should be handled and then left it to the group.
Later, the group was faced with the task of trying to haul a suspect out of a bar filled with rowdy, uncooperative drinkers. More fake names and misinformation.
“They’re having a good time, but this is a good way for them to see how overwhelming things can get,” said police Officer Jason Nadeau, who runs this year’s Citizen Police Academy.
Before the case was wrapped up, the citizen cops had been harassed, verbally abused and thrown off the trail once or twice. They relied on eye witnesses, fingerprint technology and a few lucky breaks to get their suspects – an employee named John Dough who worked for B.S. Construction.
Dough, played by Charles Guignard, did not go down easy. Four of the citizen cops had to wrestle him to the floor of the bar. His co-conspirator, Durt Bagg, remained on the loose.
Even in a fictional setting, academy participants were rattled by the mock drama unfolding over two hours.
“This is a good chance for them to get out and get a feel for what it’s like,” Nadeau said. “It’s the kind of thing that can happen in police work at any time.”
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