LEWISTON – William Welch, Lewiston’s embattled police chief, has received a vote of confidence from the city’s new administrator.

Bob Vitas said he has been briefed on a number of pending issues related to the police force and sees no evidence of wrongdoing by the chief.

“I think the public should have a level of confidence that the Lewiston Police Department, which was just re-accredited, is an outstanding department,” Vitas said.

“In order to become accredited, obviously there are some very stringent guidelines and policies that need to be in place. The [new] accreditation only serves to further my belief as the new administrator that we do have a top notch police department.”

Vitas reviewed findings of the state Attorney General’s Office, which cleared Welch and the department of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with allegations made by a former rookie officer, John Parkin.

Parkin’s allegations included police brutality, falsification of police reports and killing a wounded cat by throwing it into a canal.

Earlier this month, the Maine Human Rights Commission ruled that Welch had discriminated against two women by pretending to choke them during a conference last year in Rockport on domestic violence.

The commission’s ruling clears the way for possible civil lawsuits against Welch and the city. Vitas said neither woman has notified the city that she intends to sue, but that remains a possibility, he said.

Vitas said the public has yet to hear all the facts in that case, and that any judgment at this time would be premature.

“To make a predetermined judgment that he should resign or be terminated would be to indicate that there is guilt before the issue is thoroughly reviewed and the facts are known,” Vitas said. “I think that would be unfair to Bill, unfair to the police department and unfair to the community.”