Report sheds light on police shootings
The latest report from the Maine Deadly Force Review Panel shed some light on the eight police shootings they examined from last year that resulted in either death or serious injuries.
According to the panel’s fifth annual report released in January, mental illness, alcohol, and drugs were factors in most of the 2024 incidents.
“The population involved in these armed confrontations with police tend overwhelmingly to be male, many of whom have known and/or active serious mental health disorders, often exacerbated by alcohol or drugs and who have access to a firearm, in some cases many firearms,” said Maine Deadly Force Review Panel Chair Fernand LaRochelle.
He added, “Some also have criminal histories.”
“This is just a thumbnail description of one aspect of our findings,” the long-time Augusta resident said of the scope of the report.
In addition to providing factual summaries of eight fatal and nonfatal police shootings, the most recent report noted that last year, state law enforcement agencies requested and received approval for 482 weapons restriction orders under the state’s extreme risk protection order law, also known as the ‘yellow flag law. That led to the seizure of hundreds of firearms from people who posed a significant risk
LaRochelle has served on the panel since 2019 and as chair since 2024. He said that he previously served on a panel reviewing similar incidents that was put together by then Attorney General, now Governor Janet Mills.
In 2019, he was appointed by Attorney General Aaron Frey to the Maine Deadly Force Review Panel, which was created that same year by the 129th Maine Legislature.
He explained how the panel’s process works, receiving the investigative report after the Attorney General’s office has investigated the incident and reviewed evidence for any criminal liability.
“Our job is to review for best police practices, not criminal liability, and we also receive the reports of the agencies directly involved in the incident and review those,” LaRochelle said.
The panel meets almost monthly to review the information. Following that, the panel prepares a report summarizing the evidence, accompanied by observations and recommendations, some directed at law enforcement and others to agencies involved in the incident.
Several reports, including an annual one are sent to the legislature’s Judiciary Committee.
All reports are public and can be found on the Office of the Maine Attorney General website
Among several recommendations the panel offered to law enforcement and other agencies:
• When there is no imminent danger or harm to anyone, an officer should request backup in domestic violence calls since the presence of several officers usually discourages a suspect who may be prone to struggle with a single officer.
• Law enforcement agencies should partner with facilities like Augusta shelter Bread of Life to train and develop a response plan for various emergencies.
• Training should stress the undesirability and the inherent risks of “weapons confusion” in simultaneously wielding a firearm and a less-than-lethal weapon.
• People in nearby buildings should be evacuated.