Former Hudson police Chief Jason Lavoie

HUDSON – Town officials announced Wednesday that police Chief Jason Lavoie submitted his retirement Tuesday, effective immediately.

No reason was given in the brief statement, which appeared on the town’s Website and the police department’s Facebook page.

Also on Tuesday, Capt. William Avery, a veteran of the force, was appointed interim chief, according to the statement.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Roger Coutu swore Avery in the same day.

There are no indications as yet if Lavoie’s abrupt retirement is connected to the ongoing lawsuit against him, Avery, Lt. Charles Dyac and the Town of Hudson, which was brought in 2014 by former Hudson police dispatcher Janelle Sargent, alleging the officers willfully failed to protect her from domestic violence by not following laws and policies governing abuse by a spouse.

The suit stemmed from Sargent’s allegations that her husband, Litchfield police Capt. Benjamin Sargent, repeatedly abused her both physically and emotionally, according to the suit.

The most recent entry in the case summary for the suit, which is being heard in Hillsborough County Superior Court South in Nashua, is hearing on a motion for summary judgement, which took place Monday before Judge Charles Temple.

Temple took the matter under advisement, according to the entry, but a ruling isn’t expected for at least 30 days.

–DEAN SHALHOUP

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