Rocky Boy makes statement on police chief firing

Five days after the termination of Rocky Boy Police Chief Allen Primeau, members of the Chippewa Cree Law & Order Subcommittee released a statement Wednesday saying he was dismissed  after video footage emerged of him behaving inappropriately.

“We do not take this decision lightly, but based on the video footage received by the Law & Order Committee, we do believe that at this time, removing Primeau from his position is in the best interest of the tribal members and law enforcement under his care,” said Dustin Whitford, chairman of the subcommittee, which has authority over the tribal law enforcement.

No additional details were provided in the statement about the specific content of the video or what he did.

Primeau said today that the video was from last January and  showed he and Lt. J.D. Cabanes engaging in what he described as horseplay. He denied any wrongdoing and said the subcommittee had been looking for an excuse to terminate his employment.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Primeau, a member of the Paiute Tribe and a 15-year U.S Army veteran with a background in law enforcement, was sworn in as the department’s police chief in December.

In their statement, the subcommittee said they had received multiple complaints about Primeau since he was hired, including allegations that he physically and verbally abused prisoners as well as  members of the police force.

Following his termination Friday, Primeau said he was told the subcommittee had evidence against him but did not give a reason for his firing.

The release from the subcommittee says Primeau had been warned previously that his behavior was unacceptable.

The statement disputes Primeau saying he was suspended without pay. Subcommittee members had considered suspending him with pay but ultimately opted to do so with pay, the statement said.

That statement conflicts with a May 27 letter signed by Whitford informing Primeau that he would be suspended without pay. The Havre Daily News obtained a copy of the letter shortly after his suspension.

The subcommittee requested a Bureau of Indian Affairs investigation into the complaints filed against Primeau, the findings of which have not yet been released, the statement said.

Primeau has until Friday to submit a grievance appeal of his dismissal.