By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — As far as officials are concerned, Dan Hastings set “the standard” when it comes to serving as Harrison’s local sheriff’s deputy.

Hastings was conscientious.

He listened to concerns (the town fathers felt too many vehicles were speeding through the town) and acted.

He developed a good rapport with selectmen and the public.

“Dan had the pulse of the community,” selectmen said.

He was accessible, often “checking in” with the town manager as part of his on-duty routine to address problems or simply connect.

Hastings showed his mettle as an officer when he assisted Bridgton Police with the apprehension of a suspect involved in a brutal home invasion, town officials pointed out.

With two weeks left on his probationary period (he had joined the CCSO after time with the Oxford Police Department), Hastings resigned last week as the contract deputy.

Town Manager Tim Pellerin was informed of the move by the Sheriff’s Department administration last Wednesday morning. The news caught Pellerin and selectmen by surprise.

Then, surprise turned to dismay and anger.

Pellerin and board members voiced their displeasure with the action and how the situation was handled during last Thursday’s selectmen’s meeting.

After Matthew Frank was re-elected as chairman and Ray Laplante selected as vice chairman, Hastings told selectmen that he was “grateful for the opportunity to serve” the town. He found the town “inviting” and a “pleasure.”

“I wish I could have stayed longer,” he said.

Frank responded, “You did a terrific job here in Harrison.”

Selectman Rick Sykes noted that the former deputy made a big impact, slowing traffic by having a distinct presence and being very responsive. Pulling up the police activity report during Hastings’ shifts in June, Sykes noted the number of violations (20 including speeding, operating after suspension and failing to secure a child) the deputy handled and service calls (71, including three domestic situations and a death). He then compared Hastings’ efforts to those of past contracted deputies. Whoever CCSO administration selects to serve as the next contracted deputy for the Town of Harrison, Sykes expects that same level of service.

“I’m disappointed,” Sykes said of the resignation. “I do have a question. I know that this is a personnel matter, and you don’t have to answer this, but I am going to ask it anyway. Did you leave of your own free will, no influence?”

Hastings simply said, “No.”

After receiving more praise from officials and an ovation, Hastings left. Pellerin later noted that Hastings wasn’t on the law enforcement sideline for long. A day after he resigned with CCSO, Hastings was hired by the Paris Police Department.

Then, discussion heated up.

Pellerin voiced his displeasure regarding the conversation he had with Sheriff Kevin Joyce and Patrol Captain Scott Stewart. He also referred to the decision to change the local deputy during the town’s busiest time of year and being somewhat vague as to how the CCSO planned to replace Hastings as “poor management.”

“I’m dismayed with what happened,” Pellerin said.

Although selectmen will not learn why Hastings resigned (when CCSO administration was asked, officials cited state law regarding personnel matters, which are private), they plan to ask plenty of questions. Pellerin plans to contact the county manager to have a discussion regarding the interaction with the Sheriff’s office. If not satisfied with results from that conversation, Pellerin and selectmen will take the matter up with the county commissioners. 

Sykes checked the CCSO website looking for information regarding the department’s charter, code of ethics and policy regarding use of a cruiser (Harrison pays for a cruiser and its fuel). He asked Pellerin to inquire about this information during his phone conversation with the county manager.

Hastings resides in Woodstock.

The previous contracted deputy resided in Scarborough.

Officials declined to elaborate whether an issue had surfaced regarding the use of the cruiser.

The board also instructed Pellerin to start investigating other possible law enforcement options. A few years back, officials inquired whether nearby Bridgton might be interested in handling coverage in Harrison. The answer was “not interested” then, but selectmen figure it doesn’t hurt to ask again since a new chief is in place.

Selectmen voiced concerns about consistency under the current CCSO arrangement in terms of how long a deputy is assigned to the town. If other assignments open, deputies can apply and selection is often made based on seniority, local officials said. With turnover, a new deputy starts for scratch in terms of developing a rapport with Harrison officials and residents, as well as learning the lay of the land.

Harrison’s cost for the contracted deputy for 2020 is $111,861.52. Here’s what the contract cost for past years:

2015 — $87,795

2016 — $87,908

2017 — $99,444

2018 — $108,361

2019 — $124,570

Concerns heightened

A home invasion and brutal attack a short distance from the Harrison town line in Bridgton left many in the community a little on edge.

That uneasiness created by the attack and now concerns regarding local police coverage likely grew last Friday when another incident rocked the tiny community.

A 24-year-old man allegedly stabbed and beat his mother outside of their Dawes Hill Road home at about 8 p.m. Mohamed Noh allegedly stabbed his mother, Halimo Azair, multiple times with a knife and struck her with a splitting maul as she cared for the family’s goats. The 49-year-old suffered injuries to her arms, face and head. She was transported via helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Noh has been charged with elevate aggravated assault and violating conditions of release (he faces charges of driving under the influence and failure to stop for police from a previous incident). In court on Monday, bail was set at $75,000. Noh is being held at the Cumberland County Jail.

Harrison Town Manager Tim Pellerin on Saturday issued an e-mail “special bulletin” to residents saying, “There was a significant law enforcement situation on Dawes Hill last evening. This was an isolated event and there is no threat to the public. The suspect is in custody.”