The Maine State Police is aware of a social media post made by an Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Deputy expressing his opinion about the law enforcement response and operations regarding the mass shooting in Lewiston. It is unfortunate that one individual has disparaged the exemplary work of hundreds of municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers who worked around the clock to identify, search for and ultimately locate Robert Card’s body in 48 hours. “This deputy has the luxury of his opinion,” said Maine State Police Colonel William Ross. “But as a Command Staff we have the ultimate responsibility over an operation that included 50 law enforcement agencies, multiple air assets and 16 tactical teams that were used to mitigate potential risk to the community and law enforcement.”
MSP timeline of 48 hour manhunt
(Currently in progress)
Yellow Flag Law
Yellow Flag Law Training
On 11/19/2021, the MCJA Board of Trustees adopted a minimum standards policy (Policy 5, Response to Mental Illness, Involuntary Commitment, & Protection from Substantial Threats — attached) requiring each LE agency have a compliant policy, which covers the use of weapon restriction orders. This policy became effective on 1/1/2022. Maine Chiefs of Police Association created a model policy for their membership based on the MCJA BOT minimum standards.
The “yellow flag law training” is titled RESTRICTING ACCESS TO DANGEROUS WEAPONS. It was assigned as a Maine Criminal Justice Academy Mandatory Training topic in 2022 as part of the Annual New Law Updates (also complying with LD 861, detailed below), meaning that all certified law enforcement officers were required to complete that training by the end of 2022. At the end of the year, all chief law enforcement officers for the 160 LE agencies are required to certify that their officers completed the mandatory training (or report which ones did not). MCJA does not retain the actual documentation that the officer completed the training, only the CLEO’s end of year report. Each individual agency is required to retain the documentation of the training, as they would for any other training.
RESTRICTING ACCESS TO DANGEROUS WEAPONS training is a 1.5 hour block of instruction and the 2022 lesson plan is attached. During 2022, the other related blocks of mandatory training were LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CALLS (3 hours) and WELLNESS AND RESILIENCEY FOR LAW ENFORCMENT (3 hours). All these blocks were available through two online platforms (Dirigo Safety, LLC and PoliceOne Academy) and could also be taught as an in-person class by an instructor using the lesson plan which MCJA makes available.
LD861 (130th Maine Legislature – 2nd Regular Session) required the RESTRICTING ACCESS TO DANGEROUS WEAPONS training as a mandatory training for all law enforcement officers in 2022. It also requires reporting to the legislature on the subject for 2023-2026. Pursuant to LD861, Commissioner Sauschuck reported to the legislature on May 1, 2023 that 2,810 full-time and 508 part-time officers completed the training in 2022. Additionally, DPS is required to provide voluntary trainings on the subject during 2023 and 2024. To this end, a 3 hour Zoom training titled “PROTECTIVE CUSTODY AND WEAPONS RESTRICTION ORDERS” hosted by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association was held on March 29th, 2023; approximately 110 people participated to include 12 behavioral health staff. The MCJA staff will offer the second required voluntary training in 2024.
(Please also see attached documents)
Independent Commission
Governor Mills Announces Intent to Establish Independent Commission to Determine Facts Surrounding Lewiston Tragedy
Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills today announced her intent to formally establish an independent commission of experts in the coming days to determine the facts and circumstances of the tragic October 25th shootings in Lewiston, including the months preceding the shooting and the police response to it.
Governor Mills issued the following statement:
“A cornerstone of the ability to heal is to know the truth – in this case, the facts of what happened on that tragic night, of the months that led up to it, and of the police response to it.
“It is important to recognize that, from what we know thus far, on multiple occasions over the last ten months, concerns about Mr. Card’s mental health and his behavior were brought to the attention of his Army National Reserve Unit, as well as law enforcement agencies here in Maine and in New York. This raises crucial questions about actions taken and what more could have been done to prevent this tragedy from occurring.
“I know that the Maine State Police are working hard to conduct a thorough and comprehensive criminal investigation of the shooting, but I also believe that the gravity of this attack on our people – an attack that strikes at the core of who we are and the values we hold dear – demands a higher level of scrutiny.
“In the coming days, I will work with the Attorney General to formally establish a fully independent commission, whose charge will be to determine the facts surrounding the tragedy on October 25th, including the time that led up to it and the police response to it. I envision this commission being comprised of independent experts with legal, investigative, and mental health backgrounds who can bring to bear their experiences in determining and laying out the full and impartial facts. I hope to formally announce this commission and its membership next week so that it may conduct itself with a due sense of urgency, and above all else, follow the facts wherever they may lead.
“This – the complete facts and circumstances, including any failures – must be brought to light and known by all. The families of the victims, those who were injured, those who are recovering, and the people of Maine and the nation deserve nothing less.”
MSP response to Commission
We applaud the Governor’s decision. The Maine State Police is proud of our actions and response to the October 25th shootings in Lewiston and we welcome an independent review of not only what preceded the shootings but the police response to it. This traumatic event has impacted the entire state. It deserves a large scale comprehensive review and we look forward to working with the commission in the coming months.
Restricting-Access-to-Dangerous-Weapons-lesson-plan-Final-2022
Weapon-restriction-order-and-prohibited-possession-generally
Weapons-Restriction-Order-checklist