An April 11 letter to the editor of The Lincoln County News from “all members of” the Damariscotta Police Dept. expresses support for suspended Police Chief Steve Drake.
Damariscotta Town Manager Greg Zinser put Drake on paid administrative leave late April 6. The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen concurred with Zinser’s decision in an April 8 executive session.
Drake left a meeting of the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen earlier April 6 during an emotional exchange with town officials and citizens about the Damariscotta Police Dept. budget.
“Chief Drake leads this department with integrity, pride, and professional demeanor,” the department wrote.
According to the letter, Drake’s “choice words with” Zinser led to the decision to place him on leave.
Zinser has declined comment on the reason(s) for his decision.
According to the letter, the department feels Drake’s “words and actions” at the April 6 meeting don’t “warrant a call for his resignation by [Zinser].”
Zinser would not confirm or deny whether he has asked Drake to resign.
Dick McLean, the Chairman of the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen, said it’s “simply not true” that town officials are calling for Drake’s resignation.
Drake’s contract runs out June 30.
The full letter from the Damariscotta Police Dept. will appear in the April 14 print edition of The Lincoln County News.
In related news, Dick Mayer, a Damariscotta citizen and law enforcement veteran who volunteered to lead a study of police services in Damariscotta, is, by mutual agreement with Zinser, no longer going to assist the town in the matter, Zinser said April 12.
At the April 6 meeting, Drake said Mayer, a senior police advisor for the U.S. State Dept., was “obviously already biased” and accused him of losing his temper in a meeting in Drake’s office.
Mayer called Drake’s allegations “ludicrous.”
Drake left the meeting shortly thereafter. “Sir, you’re calling me a liar,” he told Mayer before exiting the room.
Zinser placed Drake on leave late Wednesday night, April 6. The selectmen concurred with the move in an April 8 executive session.
Zinser, who confirmed the decision in an April 8 interview, has declined to elaborate on the reason(s) for the decision.
Drake has declined to comment on the matter.
A Facebook page – “Community in Support of Chief Steve Drake” – is asking members of the community to call, e-mail or write Selectmen and The Lincoln County News to “voice… support” for Drake.
As of 10 a.m., 200 people or groups “like” the page, which includes many statements of support from acquaintances and relatives of Drake as well as Damariscotta citizens and members of the law enforcement community.
The identity of the page’s creator is unclear at this time.
Zinser has appointed Sgt. Chad Andrews to serve as Acting Police Chief in Drake’s absence.
