Does this state (maybe federal rules as well) require that any peace officer found responsible for domestic violence have the right to bear arms withdrawn? Some states recognize the danger (not to mention poor professional image) of allowing a convicted DV perpertrator to be issued/carry any weapon (gun). The reasons should be obvious. If the Sergeant should be found guilty of the charge (and let us not A SSUME he is until the investigation - of an outside department - is complete and made as public as the charges), a simple demotion will not be enough. Maybe he can stay with the department but not in any kind of a peace officer position.

The man has serious emotional problems and needs help. It's wrong to blast him in the news what about his children, aren't you worried about their feelings?

I don't see where he has been "blasted in the news". They just reported the story. Scintillate (not the news) says he has emotional problems and needs help. Now that's personal. Did we need to know that?

He'll walk...cops never do time.

Glenna, once again you state the obvious very nicely. I won't try to verse the law, however 5 minutes spent google searching the topic will provide all the information you need on the issue.

Your passive attempt to throw daggers at the way Maine deals with Domestic Violence is funny too... I'm sure where ever you're from they deal with issues much better.

I like how an officer with his status is only mentioned of the arrest and not the details so that he might get a fair trial. I would also like to point out that officers are not above the law and this is a good example of doing the right thing. Placing the officer under arrest is only a fraction of following the law. A fair hearing and the same sentencing guidelines need to apply to them as any other citizen. This would guarantee that we maintain only the most competent and upstanding officers on the force. Removing rogue officers like example: Donald Webber! from the force would result in insuring all the citizens of Maine are safe from unprofessional and unsafe officers. The people of Belfast should know about his history and be made aware to protect themselves from officers like him. Rule 1. Never ever turn your back to an officer! That is when they make their move to harm you!

Glenna.. I was told yes... he would NOT be able to carry a weapon if convicted of DV.

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Scintillate no one is "blasting" him.. but I do have to say.. maybe he should take his kids into consideration... Isn't this the same Trooper that a while back got in trouble for his PRIVATE PART being exposed on the internet? I could be wrong but I am pretty sure!! Wonder if his children saw that!

Oh and I assume the AGs office will be conducting the investigation... ther are the equivilent of Internal Affairs....

Tikitorch

If we are discussing Brian McMaster from the states attorney generals office, Please the man can only type “the allegations you submitted have been investigated and were founded to be without merit.” You need someone who can do a real investigation. Someone who really does goes and interviews the witnesses. Besides that it is like getting the Alfa fox to do an investigation on all the little cop ops I mean little fox as to who went in the hen house last night!! I have been waiting for documents from him for over three years and have yet to receive them. These documents were kept from a court hearing. (Tampering with evidence if it were you or I) or (Withholding evidence either way a crime)

Mark is a good guy in a bad circumstance...

LET THEM GO!!!! it means it has been going on for a long time!!!! Home abusers make for public offenders!

I think SOME police officers THINK they are above the law...and use their strong position to intimidate people on a daily basis...even their loved ones. This article is pretty vague, but if he abused his partner in any way he should be punished like any other person. I feel sad for all involved, domestic violence is a evil that breaks up many families & homes...I wouldn't doubt it if some form or substance caused this behavior...on top of the usual COP EGO. May he pay for what he has done...and may his family heal.

who gives a SH*#? Really...lets hear about some positive accomplishments BDN... enough of spreading all this negative garbage... this is what makes the world bad... we only hear the bad stuff... not the good.

I strongly bereave that all comments weather he is an officer of the law or not should wait until he's had his day in court !!!

Bob Cushing

Lakeland, Florida

Righto!! Give him some time off with pay, they should do that for EVERYONE accused of a felony!

I have a few friends that are law enforcement officers and they are human too. Everyone makes mistakes, no one is immune! That said, even law enforcement officers should not be above the law. But let's remember that from time to time they also put their lives on the line and often times for people they don't know. Let's wait until after the investigation is complete and then make a decision.

I wont pretend to know what the "bad situation" is that he is in but if he is found to be guilty of this crime he should never be allowed to work in public safety again, and probably will not be. Yes everyone makes mistakes but how many people do you think he has arrested for making the same "mistake", this state has very strict domestic violence laws for a reason so the whole "mistake" excuse cant be used and so the victims dont always have to push for the charges. Indeed cops are human and have problems just like everyone else, in fact their is a higher rate of relationship problems amongst cops than the general public but the bottom line is they have to follow the same rules as everyone else. I dont know anything about this guy and he me be a pretty good guy on a "normal day" but if he did do what the Oakland police apparently believe that he did then he has no business being a police officer.

If he is convicted of domestic assault he absolutely will not be able to posses a firearm, regardless of the state laws (which I believe mirror the federal law) he will be a "prohibited person" under the federal law anyway. Also I note that the charge was "aggravated" which makes it much more serious, BDN should have atleast done a little research and printed what would make a domestic assault "aggravated" which would be either some type of fairly serious injury, or the involvement of a gun or maybe knife or the like. Rest assured whoever he has for an attorney, if they cant get him out of the charge all together, will be pushing for an plea agreement to drop the "domestic" part from the assault charge so that he will be able to continue to possess a gun.

Fresh out of the Police Academy Trooper Sawyer was assigned to an area in which I live....The man lived in our town and was very active and friendly and by far very fair as a Trooper.....However; Trooper Sawyer was at the center of a dispute which caused the break up of a married couple.....Sawyer was reassigned to a different area and now is involved in an domestic assault......Oh I wonder what all the specifics are this time??????????

glenna - its a felony charge, and felons are not allow to possess firearms.

I was married to a state trooper for 16 years, he was very abusive. He took great pride in knowing how to hurt me that didn't leave bruises. When I went to his sargent for help it was swept under the rug. No one would help, no one believed me. It was a terrible time. I got out alive with help from friends. I hope Mrs.Sawyer does the same. I can bet its not the first time this has happend, but its the first time she called for help. My prayers are with her. I'm glad the BDN reported it, its harder for him to hide now. I hope the state police have learned from the past, and I hope Mrs. Sawyer does not hear what I heard, That he is under alot of stress...remmeber mrs. Sawyer, Love does not hurt!!!!

gracie... God Bless you and your family, But it's not just the cops and their families that are impacted by the "little man" that abuses his family!

I hope BDN moves forward and advertises all the domestic abuse crimes in the STATE!!!

Love Laugh Live

very little light shed on this article. could it be it is because he is a cop. they do have very different sets of rules. if he was once transferred for something of the same nature, there is a pattern to this. how many cops do you know use thier status to have a few gf's on the side? alot of them. this woman, his wife probably knew and confronted him. alot of em think they r above the law.

Do we know that his wife is the victim??????OR, is her lover the victim??????Should not crucify the Trooper yet.............

How do we know he did it? We should not judge anyone unless we were there to see it with our own eyes. Cops are no different then the person next door. We all have daily stresses and so do they. I am not for the cops by any means, but I feel we should all wait and let the store unfold as it will. Do we know it was his wife???? One shall not judge or at least until all the facts come out.

Being a victim of two marriages i went through verbal and physical abuse if he did it he should be made to go to anger managerment and talk to a therapist i just hope the children havent suffered to much watching the abuse from what i went through i have ptsd so my prayers go out to the family

send this fine officer over to district 13 in dover for a trial ,so far this year and last da chris almy has found a judge was just involved in a tragic accident ,no charges ,,millinocket police shooting with tazers ,no charges ,safe haven over here for any official of the law ,

Guess his wife finally had enough. Good for her. Hope he gets his.

Maybe he should contact Attorney Stephen Smith, who's ad is at the top of this page. Perhaps if he doesn't have a sound defense Mr. Smith can at least attempt to scare the Judge and Prosecutors with his evil glance... Is he serious with that??? hahaaaa.....

hasnt made the news yet but rumor has milos police chief was arrested friday nite for the same offence,hope the bdn checks out this rumor,womancare is going to be busy or should be helping these officers get the proper charges ,

hang the *!&^#% he is no different then anyone man or woman just cause he is a cop he will get away with it i feel sorry for his family

Once again I am seeing more and more done about rogue officers now Sgt Michael Pouln has been arrested for DV. It seems to be happing quite a bit lately. Now they need to get Maine state police office Donald Webber of the streets so Belfast can be safe from violence. I believe Pouln was there at the hearing on Hopkins vs Webber and set and watched Webber lie on the stand for hours. Umm I wonder why all these officers are getting arrested on DV would it be they are violent people!!!????

Hats off to those in Maine who want change from the "Police State" they live in!!

AHHHH yet another one in enforcement that is above the law and will get away with it, OH what a wonderful state we live it, and the police are so honest and trust worthy.