Maine Condition Home police chief faces scrutiny more than social media posts
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor and community protection commissioner mentioned they are troubled by the State Home police chief’s social media posts deriding mask mandates, questioning the results of the presidential election and supporting a police officer who known as for violence in opposition to Black Lives Make any difference protesters.
Gov. Janet Mills and General public Protection Commissioner Michael Sauschuck issued a statement Friday in which they stated Capitol Law enforcement Main Russ Gauvin assured them “of his determination to upholding his responsibilities and obligations, no matter of any personal beliefs.”
“We are troubled and involved by what we have go through and have asked that the make a difference be reviewed by way of present staff approach to identify irrespective of whether any state insurance policies had been violated,” they reported.
Leaders of the Legislature warned that Point out Residence law enforcement will have to preserve the self-assurance of lawmakers, point out staff members and the community.
“Should these pros be unable to retain general public trust, they ought to tender their resignations,” Senate President Troy Jackson and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau claimed in a assertion.
Gauvin, who is tasked with stability of the Condition Home and point out workplace complex, issued an apology Friday in which he acknowledged social media posts that he shared or commented on “can be witnessed as inconsistent with my experienced duties.”
“My focus has always been to be fair and aid law enforcement pros. I absolutely under no circumstances supposed for my social media account to at any time deliver my motivation to fair and skilled legislation enforcement into concern. I apologize for supplying this impact and have eradicated my personal social media accounts,” he stated.
The 13-officer Capitol Law enforcement force is dependable for stability at Maine’s State Household and other state office structures. Gauvin has been chief due to the fact 2006.
His social media comments, posts and reactions were being to start with noted by an alternate on the net news outlet, Mainer, which experienced screenshots.
The news reports occur as stability is stepped up at condition capitals all-around the nation adhering to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Maine State Police are helping in the stability work in August in advance of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, and an undisclosed variety of Maine Nationwide Guard associates are at the ready, really should they be necessary, a spokesman claimed.