Woman sues Oxford police chief over alleged excessive force (WGME, July 3, 2026)
Why This Story Matters to Us
We began documenting police accountability cases in Maine after our own experiences as medically retired disabled veterans. During one of the most difficult periods of our lives, we found ourselves at the center of a series of events that included public humiliation, a defamatory newspaper article, and interactions with local authorities that left us questioning how vulnerable people can be treated when they are already in crisis. Those experiences fundamentally changed how we view accountability and motivated us to research similar cases across the state.
This article is part of that ongoing effort.
Oxford Woman Sues Police Chief and Officers Over Alleged Excessive Force
An Oxford, Maine woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the Town of Oxford, Police Chief Rickie Jack, Sgt. Joseph Correia, and Officer Michael Rioux, alleging violations of her constitutional rights stemming from an incident in April 2023.
According to the lawsuit:
- The woman went to the Oxford Police Department to report alleged threatening social media messages made by a relative of Police Chief Rickie Jack.
- Rather than accepting her complaint, the lawsuit alleges the chief ordered her to leave the station.
- The complaint further alleges that Chief Jack physically threw her to the floor & knelt on her head while Sgt. Joseph Correia & Officer Michael Rioux participated in or failed to prevent the incident.
- The encounter was reportedly captured on video, according to court filings.
- The lawsuit alleges excessive force, false arrest, retaliation, and violations of both federal and state constitutional rights.
The defendants have not publicly responded to the allegations in court. WGME reported that Chief Jack declined to comment because the litigation is pending. The lawsuit has not yet been adjudicated, and the allegations remain unproven unless established through the court process or resolved by settlement.
Read more here: Woman sues Oxford police chief over alleged excessive force
Why We Are Tracking This Case
The lawsuit filed against the Oxford Police Department involves allegations of excessive force and constitutional rights violations. At this stage, these are allegations that will ultimately be decided through the legal process. We are not posting this case to draw conclusions about guilt or liability. Rather, we believe it is important to document significant allegations involving public officials and follow them through to their resolution.
As researchers, we have observed that public accountability often depends on maintaining a complete historical record—not just of officer-involved shootings, but also civil rights lawsuits, excessive force allegations, and other incidents that raise questions about governmental conduct. By collecting these cases in one place, we hope to provide readers with a factual, chronological resource that allows them to follow developments over time and better understand the broader issues surrounding transparency, accountability, and public trust in Maine’s justice system.
Related Links:
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The Most Dangerous Moments of Our Life: Targeted by an Abusive Cop with Impunity Who Shot A Suicidal Woman During a Mental Health Crisis Four Years Later (2024)
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“Sexual Assault Advocates” Use Defamatory Newspaper Article & the Small Town Cop’s Lame AF Narrative to Bounce Medically Retired Service Members Out of MST Advocacy (2024)
Surviving Injustice: Disabled Veterans Battling to Overcome a Defamatory Article in a Rural Maine Newspaper (2024)
Maine Police Shootings of Individuals with Mental Illness: Recent Incidents and Concerns (2024)
Maine Newspaper & Police Department Leaders Assist Abusive Police Officer in Dehumanization of Disabled Veterans During a Mental Health Crisis (2024)
WGME Reported “‘They Murdered My Son in Cold Blood:’ [Maine] Parents Upset After Police Shooting Ruled Justified” (2024)
Report of Maine Attorney General Janet Mills on the Use of Deadly Force by Rumford Police Sergeant Tracey Higley in Rumford, Maine (2014)
Bangor Daily News Reported “Maine Woman Shot By Rumford Police Accused of Threatening Authorities With a Knife” (2014)
Complaint to Maine Attorney General: Overview of Police Officer’s Disturbing History Prior to Officer Involved Shooting of A Suicidal Woman With Mental Illness (2014)
Portland Press Herald Reported “Friends of Maine Woman Left Confused by Police Shooting” (2014)
Portland Press Herald Reported “Reportedly Suicidal Woman Shot by Rumford Cop” (2014)
The Portland Press Herald Reported the Series “Deadly Force: Police and the Mentally Ill” (2012)
Red Flags: Disciplinary History for “Aggressive, Intimidating” Maine Police Officer Who Targeted Disabled Veterans in 2010; 4 Years Later Involved in the Shooting of Suicidal Woman (2005)
Jennifer and Lee 