Maine State Trooper cited for OUI

HOULTON, Maine — A 24-year veteran of the Maine State Police was put on administrative leave Monday after reportedly showing up to work under the influence of alcohol the week before.
Sgt. Julie Bergan, 54, was summonsed Thursday for OUI after failing both field sobriety and blood-alcohol content tests.
    “When Sgt. Bergan arrived at work on the morning of (June) 28th, co-workers and her superior noticed that she was demonstrating signs of impairment,” said Lt. Col. Raymond Bessette of Augusta. “Under the orders of state police administrators, Sgt. Bergan was subsequently processed, and summonsed for OUI. (She) will be on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.”
The Internal Affairs Division in Augusta will conduct that internal investigation. Bergan is scheduled to appear in Houlton District Court on Aug. 7.
“We know how hard we have to work to earn the public’s trust and how easy it can be lost in an instant,” Bessette said. “But we hold ourselves accountable, dust ourselves off and keep working hard at it.”
The incident leaves just one acting patrol sergeant — Sgt. Brian Harris — for Troop F as Sgt. Thomas Pelletier of Eagle Lake retired from his position last week.
“We could probably fill (Pelletier’s) position in the next three to four weeks,” Bessette said. “It could also be a new promotional opportunity for someone already in Troop F.”
Bessette said it was too early to say how Bergan’s position will be impacted with the Troop.
In addition, Troop F is now also without Lt. Col. Mark Brooks, who is taking a year-long leave of absence to attend military college. Brooks joined Troop F in October, 2010, when he replaced Lt. Col. Darrell Ouellette. Brooks is an 18-year veteran of the state police, joining the department in 1994. Prior to coming to Troop F, he was a patrol sergeant with Troop E in Orono. He was promoted to sergeant in 2002 and also has served as a training sergeant at the Criminal Justice Academy and a detective with the criminal division. In addition to his state police rank of lieutenant, Brooks is also is a Lt. Colonel with the U.S. Army Reserve and is an Iraqi war veteran.
Sgt. John Cote will serve as the acting Lt. Colonel for Troop F. Cote has been with the state police for 23 years, joining in 1989. He was promoted to detective in the criminal division in 1995; and promoted to sergeant in 2000. He is currently assigned to the Major Crimes Unit and has been with Troop F for six years.