GREENFIELD — A former Buckland police chief’s court case on charges of indecent assault and battery has been dismissed by a judge one year after it was continued without a finding.

James T. Hicks, 57, last May admitted the prosecution had sufficient facts to prove his guilt when he faced three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over and was ordered to stay away from and have no contact with the victim. According to court documents, Judge William F. Mazanec III dismissed the case from Greenfield District Court on April 11.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Courtney Sans of the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office because Hicks had been a law enforcement officer in Franklin County for years.

According to an arrest narrative filed by Sgt. Joseph J. Petty of the Massachusetts State Police, he and Trooper Adam Cardin met with a Buckland woman on Oct. 5, 2021, who told them about incidents in which Hicks allegedly touched her inappropriately.

The woman told authorities that on Aug. 16, 2020, Hicks responded to her residence after she called 911 when her male roommate started throwing items and frightening her. She stated Hicks arrived in full police uniform and separated the two. The woman reportedly told troopers that Hicks sat next to her on a back patio bench and started kissing her.

According to the police report, the woman also told troopers that Hicks reached his hand down her pants. The woman said Hicks left when her roommate opened the back door and asked what the two were doing. She stated this was the first time she had met Hicks. Petty confirmed with Shelburne Control dispatchers that Hicks was the only officer to respond to that residence on Aug. 16, 2020.

Hicks retired as Buckland Police Chief on Sept. 9, 2021, after more than 30 years with the department. He became an auxiliary officer, which meant he could handle traffic and parade detail but could not carry a service firearm and or make arrests. He later sent Kurt Gilmore, who was acting chief at the time, a resignation email on Oct. 18, 2021.

“With the pending issue I have been dealing with I feel it is best that I step aside,” Hicks wrote. “Thank you.”

The Buckland complainant also reported to troopers a separate incident, which allegedly occurred on Aug. 19, 2021. After seeking police assistance with her roommate, she claims Hicks showed up in full uniform, grabbed her hand and placed it on his crotch. The woman told police Hicks backed off after she pushed his chest with her other hand.

According to the police narrative, the woman reported a third incident in which she was parked at a Greenfield gas station scratching lottery tickets on Oct. 20, 2020, when Hicks allegedly opened the passenger door and sat inside. She told troopers Hicks began touching her and reached his hand under her shirt.

The woman allegedly showed Petty text messages she sent to people after the incidents, all of which she said were nonconsensual, and some descriptions of what she told people had happened. Petty reported there are no surveillance cameras at that particular gas station.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.