In recent months, this paper and others in Maine and even outside of the state have reported on the alleged sexual abuse of minors by at least two former police officers in Biddeford.
Those who have come forward said that when they were young teenagers, they were molested by men who were officers with the Biddeford department from the 1970s through the early 2000s.
Matt Lauzon, who grew up in Biddeford and now lives in Boston, where he is a successful businessman, first sounded the alarm when he went public on the social media website Facebook in February, accusing former Biddeford police officer Stephen Dodd of molesting him as a boy.
Since then, several other men have come forward, alleging abuse by Dodd as well as former officer Norman Gaudette.
In addition to the men who say they were abused as children, others in the community have joined with them in saying something must be done.
Lauzon and other alleged victims have filed complaints with the Maine Office of the Attorney General, and that office is conducting an investigation. But those alleging abuse and their supporters want more.
In response, Sen. David Dutremble, who has taken up the cause, held a public meeting at which people could speak about their concerns
In addition, thanks to a petition drive by some local residents, next week the city will hold a public meeting on the issue.
While an open forum is good, it is not enough.
The City Council has taken some action on the issue. Earlier this week it passed an emergency measure to prohibit registered sex offenders from living within 750 feet of parks, schools and other areas frequented by children.
As an emergency measure, it went into affect immediately, but sex offenders already living in those areas are not affected by it.
While this action is something, the major demand sought by Lauzon and others is for the City Council to suspend BPD Chief Roger Beaupre and Dep. Chief JoAnne Fisk while an investigation takes place.
Lauzon and others say more people have been abused by officers but they are too afraid to come forward while the chief and his deputy are in charge. They speculate both could be interfering with the investigation and/or did nothing in the first place about the officers who have been accused of abuse.
Both Beaupre and Mayor Alan Casavant have said that the chief and Dep. Fisk are not involved in investigations; another officer takes the complaints and they are then forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office.
Also, Casavant has said it’s unclear if the council even has the power to remove or suspend the chief and the deputy chief since the department is under the jurisdiction of the Police Commission.
Another unanswered question is whether the council would remove or suspend Beaupre and Fisk if it had the power to do so.
But what is clear is that an independent entity or forum of some type must be established that allows those alleging abuse to feel safe and to believe that their voices are heard and taken seriously.
Even if they are being taken seriously by those in power now, it doesn’t matter if it isn’t believed.
Legal recourse is one answer, and it is being sought through the investigation being conducted by the Attorney General’s Office.
However, because of the long lapse in time since the allegations that have recently been publicized were said to have taken place and when they were reported, it may limit what legal action is available.
The city must take action.
Whether or not Beaupre and Fisk are suspended, there is more that can be done.
City and school officials should have open conversations with the public discussing what else can take place; whether it’s more education through the schools, safer places to report abuse, more thorough background checks and evaluations of those applying to the police department or for anyone who works with and has power over children.
Abuse of any kind, and physical and sexual abuse in particular, are diseases in our society.
That it may have been perpetrated on minors by those who are entrusted to protect and serve the public is unacceptable.
To find justice for the past and protection for the future, open dialogue and transparent action is necessary.
— Dina Mendros is a Maine native, having lived in Saco most of her life, and is the Associate Editor of the Journal Tribune, where she has worked for more than eight years.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
