The Maine Law Criminal Justice Academy board has voted to decertify Lincoln County Deputy Henry Grenier, a move that could end his police career.
Eric Parker, the acting director of the academy, said the board took action to decertify Grenier at its Jan 22 meeting.
The board will now notify Grenier of the action. Grenier has 30 days to appeal the decision. If he appeals, a hearing will be set, Parker said.
Since August, Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett, citing privacy laws, has declined to explain the mysterious circumstances surrounding alleged offenses that triggered disciplinary measures involving the veteran deputy.
In a written statement issued in August, Brackett said Grenier has been placed on administrative leave with pay for a “non-work related” incident currently being investigated by the Maine State Police.
Brackett said he took that action pending the outcome of the state’s probe.
Brian McMasters, the head of the Attorney General’s criminal investigation section said the Grenier matter was probed by the Attorney General’s office but they declined to prosecute him.
Brackett then disciplined Grenier, removed him from the payroll and referred the case to the Academy board. That body has the authority to revoke his policing powers.
Sheriff Brackett said he did not fire Henry Grenier. He suspended him without pay. The Lincoln County Commissioners are reviewing Grenier’s appeal of the suspension order, the sheriff said. That appeal is pending.
Meanwhile, Grenier is back on the job, and on the payroll, said Sheriff Todd Brackett.
“He has served his [departmental] discipline and is back at work,” said Brackett adding Grenier is assigned to the office “doing paperwork.”
Grenier has consistently declined to return phone calls seeking information about the disciplinary actions.