Name: James Theriault
Age: 69
Hometown: Rumford
Occupation: Interim sheriff of Oxford County
1. How long have you been in law enforcement? What is your work history?
After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, I began my career in law enforcement as a spare officer in Rumford, Maine, and was eventually hired as a full-time officer. I worked in the department for eight years, where I reached the rank of lieutenant. In the 1980s, I left the Rumford department and worked for the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Alton Howe. I then accepted a position as an officer for the town of Mexico, where I continued to work for 22 years, with the last 20 as the chief of police.
2. What are some of the challenges that you feel the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office is facing, and how would you solve them as sheriff? What do you feel the Sheriff’s Office has been successful at as of late?
Just to name a few, I am working on restoring the people’s trust in our department, as well as the trust and morale of all the Sheriff’s Department employees in light of past issues. I’m proud of the people that work here, serving and protecting our county, and I want them to feel they can hold their heads up high and be proud of who they are. We are working diligently to curb the out-of-control spending from years past and trying to maintain a workable budget for this year and years to come.
3. The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office has faced several issues over the past year and a half involving employees being let go or resigning in light of misconduct allegations. This includes the resignation of former Sheriff Wayne Gallant as he faced sexual misconduct allegations by employees. If you are elected sheriff, what will you do to ensure that employees feel safe and do not have to worry about facing misconduct or harassment in the workplace?
I am working very hard at raising the morale of my employees. I’ve already had separate meetings with both departments — patrol officers and corrections officers — and also have met with most employees individually, to assure them that if we all work together and do our jobs, we will get through this together. I have hired Maj. James Urquhart, who has reviewed and redone all our policies that have not been addressed since they were last done in 2011.
4. Maine has faced an opioid crisis over the last several years. What do you think the Sheriff’s Department can do to continue helping with the crisis? Do you believe more needs to be done?
The number of fatal overdoses has climbed steadily in the past several years. The realization is that it’s a problem across the board, not just for recreational drug users, but also for people dealing with pain and being prescribed addictive medications. It’s heartbreaking to see families being destroyed and lives being lost due to addiction. With the new laws put into place here in Maine, as in other states, the medical field, law enforcement departments and society in general are recognizing that we must all work together to conquer this crisis.
5. What do you do in your spare time, when you’re not on the clock as an employee of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office? What are some of your hobbies?
I wish I had some spare time! I really like ATVing and I am currently the trail master for the Rumford Riders ATV Club. I’m a member of the Mexico Lions Club and have been for several years, many of which I served as president. I’m also a member of the American Legion.
James Theriault (Submitted photo)
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