The Maine Association of Police (MAP) and the Portland Police Benevolent Association (PPBA) raised concerns on Thursday about soft-on-crime policies that leave violent criminals free to re-offend.
[RELATED: Armed Suspect Killed in Portland Police Shooting After Alleged Carjackings, Chase Through Downtown…]
“The concerns in the Statement are shared by all committed Maine Law Enforcement Officers. The Statement also illustrates the frustration that Officers feel in protecting Maine citizens within a broken and disjointed criminal justice system,” said the MAP.
The MAP published and endorsed the statement from the PPBA and promised to come out with its own, more extensive statement in the near future.
“When someone with a significant history of serious and violent offenses is released back into the community, and is subsequently involved in another serious incident, important questions about whether our current approach is adequately protecting the public are raised,” said the PPBA.
The statement highlighted the Aug. 27 fatal shooting of Jacob Hastings by Portland police officers.
“Hastings was out on bail for a string of alleged violent and serious criminal offenses. That he was allowed to be back on the streets highlights a broader issue within our criminal justice system,” said the PPBA.
The police organization went through his history of criminal activity.
At the time of the shooting, he was out on bail after allegedly stealing multiple vehicles and causing significant property damage.
In 2006, he reportedly carried out multiple robberies in Augusta while armed with a firearm.
He was released and, in 2009, allegedly stole multiple vehicles in the Farmington area.
In 2014, he was charged with three counts of unlawful sexual contact with children under the age of 12.
In 2016, he was charged with probation violations, escape, aggravated criminal mischief, fleeing police and attempting to steal an occupied vehicle.
“These are just some of the notable incidents in Hastings' criminal history. His release back into the community raises serious concerns about how we address repeat and violent offenders while balancing the principles of due process and public safety,” said the PPBA.
Neither the PPBA nor the MAP proposed solutions to the problem.
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