Dover city manager states confidence in police chief's probe of officer accused of domestic violence

Dover City Manager Michael Joyal released a statement Friday regarding the city Police Department’s internal investigation of a matter involving city police officer R.J. Letendre. The officer is accused of domestic violence by his wife, Sarah Letendre, who is facing domestic violence charges. Joyal’s statement is presented here in its entirety:

In following up on reports of a domestic violence incident past weekend occuring in the Town of Rollinsford, New Hampshire, in which an off-duty Dover police officer is alleged to be the victim of an assault by their spouse, the Dover Police Chief has directed and a separate internal investigation is ongoing to ascertain any and all facts from those involved pertaining to the officer’s conduct. The involved police officer remains on paid leave at this time.

As has been widely reported, the incident over the weekend involved the arrest of the off duty officer’s spouse by the Rollinsford Police and subsequent violations of protective orders by the spouse against the officer which necessitated further charges and a pursuit and arrest of the spouse again by the Rollinsford Police. Subsequent to the spouse’s arrests, allegations of abuse causing personal injury were made via social media posts against the officer which are now also being investigated.

As the alleged criminal offenses occurred in Rollinsford, outside the Dover Police Department’s jurisdiction, the internal investigation ordered by the Police Chief is focused on the conduct of the officer as it pertains to Dover Police Department policy and their fitness for continued duty. The Rollinsford Police Department is conducting an entirely separate and independent criminal investigation into the matter. Their criminal investigation will be reviewed by the Strafford County Attorney’s Office regarding any criminal conduct committed by all involved which, in turn, may result in prosecution requiring further judicial review of the matter by the courts.

The internal investigation initiated by the Police Chief is being undertaken in accordance with established department policy and is consistent with law enforcement best practice as well as the Police Department’s own well established and nationally accredited personnel procedures. I have complete confidence that the Chief will ensure that the internal investigation will seek to ascertain the facts from all involved. Further, for complete transparency and to ensure that our community can and should continue to have the same high level of confidence in our Police Department, the Police Chief has requested that once completed, a review of the department’s internal investigation will also be conducted by an independent third party not associated with the Dover Police Department. Aside from any separate actions that law enforcement agencies independent of the Dover Police Department may pursue, given these steps and our Police Chief’s character and commitment to faithfully serve the Dover community, I have no doubt that he will take any and all appropriate steps that are required, especially if wrongdoing by any of Dover’s police officers were to ultimately be proven either by the Chief’s internal investigation or through the criminal investigation being conducted by other agencies.

Please know that Chief Breault’s actions continue to assure me of the Police Department’s commitment in making every effort to assure that all of our employees have the required character and are fit to provide top-quality professional law enforcement service to the community. An important part of that effort has been and remains the thorough, fair, and expeditious resolution of complaints received from the public. In properly addressing any complaints or allegations of wrongdoing, it is critical that all relevant and pertinent information be obtained prior to a determination being made so that appropriate and just action can be taken where that need has been identified.

Lastly, please keep in mind that due to the on-going nature of the criminal investigations being conducted by agencies independent of the Dover Police Department, there are likely many details that are unable to be released at this time. Speculation and unsubstantiated assertions freely made via social media and without a complete view of the information and facts presented by all parties is not sufficient for making an accurate, fair and just determination. Ultimately, Chief Breault and the Dover Police Department have a long standing and demonstrated zero tolerance approach to both domestic violence and employee misconduct. For this reason, we can and should continue to have complete confidence that any identified policy violations, including criminal conduct, will be addressed in an appropriate manner and to the fullest extent.

J. Michael Joyal, Jr.

City Manager