Somalis in Lewiston allege mistreatment by city police

LEWISTON – At a meeting held in advance of a rally by white supremacists, Somali residents voiced complaints about treatment by police.

The meeting was held Tuesday in anticipation of this Saturday’s visit by the Illinois-based World Church of the Creator. The meeting, organized by a pro-diversity coalition, was meant to serve as a forum to discuss violence and harassment.

Law enforcement officials stressed that any incidents of harassment need to be reported.

But some Somalis at the meeting complained that police themselves had been the perpetrators of harassment. One woman said her brother was arrested and beaten in a case that police say is now under investigation.

Some people said police have disregarded complaints, and others said they were afraid of police. “No one in this room needs to be afraid of the police,” Deputy Police Chief Michael Bussier said. “We are here to help you. If you have a complaint, you need to call us so that we can investigate it.”

Attorney General Steven Rowe and other officials from his office were present. Tom Harnett, head of the civil rights division, called the testimony troubling and said the perception of misconduct must be investigated.

Harnett said his office has the authority to investigate complaints of criminal conduct by law enforcement agencies but that police investigate complaints about conduct that is not criminal.

Police Chief William Welch said Wednesday that other than the case under investigation, the incidents brought up at the previous night’s meeting came as a complete surprise to him. He said the incidents were not reported to the police directly or through the police’s liaison with the community.

A few weeks ago, the department began making daily contact with a Somali elder to talk about the community’s concerns, Welch said.