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This week we published a special investigation into a violent arrest by the Maine State Police and examined how it fits into the agency's broader record
of clearing officers who have received use of force complaints — in the past decade, not once has the state police found a trooper's force to be excessive.
Our reporting, which was done in collaboration with the Bangor Daily News' investigative team Maine Focus, raises questions about the agency’s use of force policy and its process for reviewing complaints. “They are not trying to learn from these mistakes because they’re not admitting to mistakes at all,” said one Maine civil rights lawyer.
On Friday, we asked Gov. Janet Mills about it. She declined to comment, citing a lawsuit the man at the center of the arrest filed against the state this week. But Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, who co-chairs the legislative committee overseeing police, said that the panel is reviewing the matter to see whether lawmakers should take any further action to ensure troopers are meeting “the policing standards we expect of our
officers.”
You can read the three-part series by Josh Keefe and Callie Ferguson below.
Also this week: Emmett Gartner takes a wide-ranging look at Maine's worst August for wildfires in two decades, complete with an interactive map that shows the size and cause of each of the fires. Climate contributor Bridget Huber walks us through a new approach to marsh restoration in Wells, and RFA reporter Daniel O'Connor continues to follow the budget debacle in Washington County.
We want to hear from you! There are two statewide referendum questions on the ballot this November, one that
suggests changes to the state's voter ID and absentee voting rules and one that proposes a red flag law. Do you have questions about them? Let us know. Plus we're at the Common Ground Fair all day today — come say hi!
— Stephanie
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Beating of handcuffed man casts doubt on Maine State Police’s perfect record of clearing officers
The agency has reviewed nearly three dozen complaints about use of force in the past decade. None were found to be excessive.
Read this story by Callie Ferguson & Josh Keefe
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Janet Mills quiet on Maine Monitor/BDN investigation into violent state police arrest: State lawmakers are reviewing the matter to see whether they
should take any action to ensure troopers are meeting “the policing standards we expect of our officers,” according to Rep. Tavis Hasenfus. Read this story by Josh Keefe & Callie Ferguson
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A trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face. The Maine State Police promoted him: The chaotic 2024 arrest in Limerick, captured on video, raises questions about the state police’s use of force policy and its process for reviewing complaints. Read this story by Josh Keefe & Callie Ferguson
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Maine police described a combative suspect trying to escape. Video shows otherwise: A Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News analysis found that the Maine State Police’s characterization of Justin Savage’s arrest was at times incomplete and at others incorrect. Read this story by Josh Keefe & Callie Ferguson
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What led to Maine having its worst August for wildfires in 20 years: With little rain in the forecast, fire officials expect more wildfires this autumn. Read this story by Emmett Gartner
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Washington County’s former treasurer inappropriately moved money, officials say: While there is no indication that taxpayer money was misused, the transfers helped obscure years of cash flow problems. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor
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What happens if Washington County runs out of money?: Washington County seeks voter approval of an $11 million bond to cover a budget gap after years of mismanagement. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor
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Spreading sand to save a salt marsh: In the first project of its kind in Maine, researchers are using dredged materials to help a marsh in Wells better withstand sea level rise and protect endangered birds. Read this story by Bridget Huber
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AI-generated child sexual abuse images are being created in Maine. Police can’t investigate.
Across the country, 43 states have outlawed sexual deepfakes, and 28 banned AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
Read this story by Sawyer Loftus of the Bangor Daily News
Note: this story appears on The Maine Monitor's website as part of our collaboration with Maine Focus, the investigative team of the Bangor Daily News. Read more about the partnership
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Have feedback or a correction to send to Stephanie McFeeters? Send it to her directly via email: stephanie@themainemonitor.org.
The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.
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