Prosecutors reach agreement with former Maine Capitol Police Chief in bar altercation
PORTLAND (WGME) -- Former Maine Capitol Police Chief Matthew Clancy is accused of assaulting another officer following an altercation outside a bar.
Prosecutors and Clancy's attorney have now agreed on a deal that will avoid a trial and drop assault and resisting arrest charges, leaving just a disorderly conduct charge.
Clancy was charged with assault, refusing to submit to arrest and disorderly conduct.
Two of those charges will be dropped if he abides by the agreement, leaving only the disorderly conduct charge and a $300 fine.
After more than a year, Clancy is learning his fate after a night out at a tap room in Hallowell turned south.
The head of security at the time says Clancy was seen taking pictures of people inside the bar, including women. He was reportedly escorted out and then got into a fight with an on-duty Hallowell police officer.
Clancy can now skirt going to trial if he abides by what's known as an informal deferred disposition.
Over the next nine months, Clancy must not use or be in possession of alcohol.
He must also attend substance use counseling and treatment within the next three months and provide proof of it every three months.
“Police cases are institutionally unusual,” University of Kentucky Assistant Professor of Law Illana Friedman said.
Friedman has no connection to the Clancy case but did say there are always concerns when police officers are prosecuted.
“We have to remember that prosecutors and police officers work on a daily basis with each other,” Friedman said. “They oftentimes know each other, they've had long, extensive relationships serving as key witnesses in cases.”
In Clancy's case, the prosecution team was selected from Lincoln County after Kennebec County dropped out over a conflict of interest between the District Attorney and Clancy.
The former chief's attorney was not available for an interview Friday but did respond to CBS13’s question of whether Clancy’s former position with Capitol Police played a role in the court’s decision.
"Not at all, but his lifetime of dedicated service to society and no prior criminal involvement would factor," the attorney said.
CBS13 then asked if Clancy accepts any responsibility for the assault of the officer. The lawyer said he wasn't able to comment.
Clancy resigned two months after the alleged assault.
Friedman believes that could have played a role in reaching this new agreement.
“The fact that he is no longer a police officer or serving in this capacity as the chief, that's a collateral consequence of punishment here that the prosecutor likely considered,” Friedman said.
Clancy is still on a $500 bail and is due back in court on July 6, 2027. That could change if he violates the agreement.