Maine County Commission Wants Sheriff Removed from Office

The motion states, in part: "[Sheriff] has failed to faithfully and efficiently perform the duties of his Office and improperly exercised and acted outside of his legal authority..."

by Staff

January 31, 2024

Maine County Commission Wants Sheriff Removed from Office

The Oxford County, Maine, commissioner want to remove Sheriff Christopher Wainwright from office.

Credit:

Oxford County SO

Commissioners in Oxford County, Maine, are looking to remove Sheriff Christopher Wainwright from office.

In their last meeting, Oxford County Commissioners made a motion to send a letter to Gov. Janet Mills on the proposal to remove Wainwright. The motion was made on Jan. 16, and a letter has yet to be finalized.

The motion states, in part: "Wainwright has failed to faithfully and efficiently perform the duties of his Office and improperly exercised and acted outside of his legal authority..." WMTW reports.

According to the motion, the letter will also detail the actions that led to the request for removal.

Mentioned specifically in the motion: "... actions on November 4th and 7th, 2022; his actions and omissions in 2021 regarding the disposal of firearms violating Title 25, Chapter 401, 30-A M.R.S. § 82(3) and Oxford County policies, as well as potentially 17-A M.R.S. § 353(A); and his deficient performance of contractual obligations with SAD #55 and RSU #10."

Wainwright said in a statement that he was aware of the motion, adding:

"My first priority is and will continue to be the preservation of the integrity of the Office of Sheriff – restoration of the dignity of that Office, in Oxford County – and the exclusive authority of the Governor in this matter.

"In that light and with those priorities in mind, I will continue to carry out my duties and obligations to my Office, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office employees, the institution of the Office of Sheriff, the electorate, and others in a dignified and professional manner.”

Topics:Maine agencies Sheriffs Command