[ME] Resigned Officer Darnell doesn't have to serve his time on domestic charges - though he doesn't stop.

Although (now former) Lewiston police officer Timothy Darnell was arrested 3 times this year - originally being charged with domestic violence assault, domestic violence criminal threatening, violation of bail conditions, and criminal trespass - he does not have to do the time. It's suspended for him. Resigning after his first arrest allowed his department to not conduct an internal investigation or write a report on his actions *past* or present - and apparently allowed him to continue perpetrating. What indication is there that he will comply with the law now? What does the court see that says the victim is any safer? WHY does he deserve a break? It appears he doesn't stop. What worth is the woman who is his victim?

FORMER LEWISTON OFFICER TO SERVE NO MORE TIME IN DOMESTIC ASSAULT
Sun Journal
Christopher Williams
August 8, 2012
[Excerpts] A former Lewiston police officer pleaded no contest Wednesday to two domestic violence misdemeanors involving his former girlfriend, but will serve no jail time. Timothy Darnell, 48, of Poland appeared Wednesday morning in Cumberland County Superior Court where he entered pleas to charges of domestic violence assault and domestic violence criminal threatening, each punishable by up to 364 days in jail. He was sentenced to 364 days on each count, to be served concurrently. All of that jail time was suspended. He also was sentenced to two years of probation. During that time, he may not have contact with [LC] of Lewiston. He also must complete counseling and treatment in a certified batterers' intervention program, according to court papers... Darnell was arrested by Lewiston police last month and charged with violating bail stemming from a charge of assaulting his girlfriend last spring. His bail was revoked and he spent three weeks in jail. He was released after his plea Wednesday. A prosecutor said her office didn't demand additional jail time in recognition of his time served on the bail violation... [LINK]

EARLIER NEWS ON DARNELL:

LEWISTON POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED TWICE IN FIVE DAYS
The Associated Press
May 11, 2012
[Excerpts] A Lewiston police officer finds himself on the other side of the law after he was arrested twice in five days. The department says Officer Timothy Darnell was arrested Sunday and charged with domestic violence assault and criminal threatening... Darnell's girlfriend alleges he grabbed her by the throat and pushed her head into a window... Darnell was arrested again Thursday on a charge of violating bail conditions... He was released again after making bail. Darnell has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. He had surrendered his badge and gun before the Sunday arrest... [LINK]

LEWISTON POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT
Sun Journal
May 11, 2012
[Excerpts] A local police officer has been charged with domestic violence assault and criminal threatening, Lt. Michael McGonagle said. Timothy Darnell, 47, was first arrested Sunday morning in Portland and charged... He was arrested again on a warrant in Auburn on Thursday morning. He turned himself in at Androscoggin County Jail, a jail administrator said. Darnell was charged with violation of bail conditions in another incident at 4 p.m. Sunday in Lewiston. He posted $2,000 cash bail at Androscoggin County Jail on Thursday morning and was released... Darnell and his girlfriend date back at least to the summer of 2011 when Maine State Police responded to a report of a loud fight between the pair at a bed and breakfast... An earlier protection from abuse order filed by [LC], 40, of Lewiston was dismissed by her. She filed for a new order for protection from abuse on Tuesday... Darnell “assaulted me the evening of [Saturday, May 5] in Portland.” She said he was arrested for “grabbing me by the throat and shoving my head into a glass window.” After he was released from jail later on Sunday, Darnell drove to her home to get his car, she wrote. Darnell has been with the Lewiston Police Department since 1994... [LINK]

FORMER LEWISTON POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED AGAIN
By Sun Journal,
July 21, 2012
[Excerpts] A former police officer was arrested early Thursday and charged with violating bail stemming from an alleged assault on his girlfriend in the spring. Timothy Darnell, 47, was arrested at 3:30 a.m. on Roland Avenue, charged with violating conditions of release, violating bail and criminal trespass. An 18-year veteran of the police force, Darnell remained at the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn on Thursday night. He had resigned from the Lewiston Police Department after his arrest in the spring. Darnell is accused of violating conditions set after his arrest in May, during which he was charged with assaulting his girlfriend on Free Street in Portland. He was arrested a second time the next morning, accused of returning to the alleged victim’s home... Friends of the couple have described the relationship as tumultuous... [LINK]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal hx history repeat maine state politics]