Portland, Maine – An independent commission is delving into the aftermath of the deadliest shooting in Maine’s history, focusing on allegations that self-dispatching police officers caused chaos during the search for the gunman. The commission, led by Chairman Daniel Wathen, plans to address disturbing accusations outlined in a report, including claims of coordination issues and communication breakdowns among law enforcement agencies during the search operation.
The commission’s inquiry promises to shed light on the actions taken by officers in the chaotic aftermath of the shooting, where a Cumberland County tactical vehicle narrowly avoided a collision with a Portland police vehicle. Reports indicate that the presence of officers who self-dispatched without being assigned to the operation could have potentially worsened the situation instead of offering assistance.
Nicholas Goodman, leader of the Portland Police Department special response team, expressed his concerns in a redacted report, obtained through the state’s Freedom of Access Act, highlighting the unprecedented levels of self-dispatching and chaos that unfolded during the search for the gunman. The incident, which resulted in the death of 18 individuals and injury of 13 others at a bowling alley and bar and grill in Lewiston, prompted a massive police mobilization in response.
During the search operation near the Androscoggin River, tensions rose as tactical teams from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Portland Police Department responded to the location where the shooter’s vehicle was abandoned. Witnesses are scheduled to testify before the commission on the breakdowns in communication and coordination that plagued the search efforts in the aftermath of the tragic events.
The Portland report singles out the dangers posed by plainclothes officers who arrived at the scene, potentially creating a volatile situation where law enforcement officers could have mistaken each other for suspects in the thickly wooded area near the gunman’s vehicle. As the investigation unfolds, officials aim to explore the lack of awareness between different tactical teams operating in the same vicinity, potentially leading to dangerous encounters among law enforcement personnel.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce refuted claims of intoxicated deputies, asserting that internal investigations had cleared the officers of any wrongdoing at the scene. The commission’s findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in coordinating their responses to high-stress, high-risk situations, ultimately aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.