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ROCHESTER - A Maine man who formerly served as a Rochester Fire captain was arrested on Friday for allegedly slapping a female colleague in the upper thigh/buttocks area.
Joseph Burns, 58, of Berwick, was booked on a single count of Class B misdemeanor simple assault, a charge that can result in up to a $2,000 fine but no jail time. Burns was released on personal recognizance with an arraignment date of Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. in Rochester District Court.
His bail conditions include that he is to not have any contact with the victim or witnesses in the case, remain 1,000 feet away from the victim and not enter the Rochester Fire Department.
The Rochester Police Department concluded its investigation of the incident on Sept. 20.
According to Rochester City Manager Katie Ambrose, the charge stems from an incident that occurred in the workplace, which was addressed internally. The criminal investigation was a separate process, and its outcome will be addressed by the courts, she said.
For the duration of the internal investigation, Burns was put on paid administrative leave and is now no longer employed with the Rochester Fire Department.
Ambrose said that the city's Human Resources Department acted swiftly to respond to the initial complaint, stating, "The City of Rochester remains dedicated to fostering a safe and respectful work environment for all employees.
"Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our staff," said Ambrose. "Our policies ensure that individuals are held accountable for their actions. They also underscore our commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for all."
The Rochester Police Department requested that Burns turn himself in to go through the booking process, which he did voluntarily on Friday.
The criminal complaint alleges that Burns was in a common area of the Rochester Fire Department headquarters when he slapped a female firefighter colleague in the buttocks area.
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