Domestic violence charges against a Bethel police officer have been dismissed, but Officer Martin Oulton remains off duty while the department conducts its own internal review of the case.
State prosecutors dropped their charges against Officer Oulton on Monday, saying that the evidence was not sufficient.
“The determination to decline this case was based on the original investigation along with the follow-up investigation conducted by your agency,” wrote Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth and Chief Assistant Attorney General Andrew Peterson in a letter to Bethel Police Chief Burke Waldron. “The completed investigation reveals that the State will be unable to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.”
According to Bethel Police Chief Burke Waldron, the investigation found inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s statements.
This is not the end of the matter. Because the case was dismissed without prejudice, it could be revived. “Although a prosecution will not occur at this point,” wrote prosecutors to Chief Waldron, “I would reconsider this decision if other instances in which the defendant is a suspect came to light.”
Officer Oulton remains on administrative leave while the Bethel Police Department continues looking into his actions. “The internal investigation was put on pause, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation,” Chief Waldron said. “With the case being dismissed, we’re just ramping up the internal investigation again.”
In early January, Oulton was charged with fourth degree assault for allegedly punching his girlfriend repeatedly.
