DIXFIELD — The Police Department has been awarded a federal grant to hire a full-time officer for three years to focus on domestic violence cases.
Dixfield police Chief Richard A. Pickett learned Wednesday that the department had been awarded a $189,617 Community Oriented Policing Services grant to add a new patrol officer position.
The $189,617 comes from the federal office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The department is one of six in Maine to share in $1.3 million.
"I am delighted that (police) Chief Pickett put the proposal for the grant before the selectmen," Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said. "With a unanimous vote from the board we knew he had the full support of the community."
At the end of the three years, the town would be responsible for paying for the position.
"The town manager and selectmen have worked hard with the budget to ensure we can continue this position once the grant money has been used," Pickett said.
The grant program provides money directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new and previous career law enforcement officers, and to increase community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
Dixfield has just over 2,500 residents and employs four full-time officers providing 24-hour coverage, seven days a week.
"We operate with the least amount of officers you can to provide that type of round-the-clock service," Pickett said.
Applicants had to list a specific public safety issue that would be addressed if a new officer was hired and Pickett listed domestic violence.
"We are hoping to have the time and resources with this new position to work on follow-up investigations that would normally not be handled," he said. "This will give us the time to talk with a victim of domestic violence after an arrest is made and possibly learn more than we would have."
The new position will allow Pickett time to work as a criminal investigator or detective, following up on evidence and leads in serious crimes.
Pickett also wants to have a stronger presence in both the middle and high schools in Dixfield. Encouraging a good relationship with law enforcement early on and talking to kids about a healthy lifestyle that is violence free were mentioned.
Pickett said the department received letters of support, which were added to the grant application, from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and U.S. Congressman Michael Michaud, D-Maine.
Snowe sent a letter Thursday afternoon about the grant and addressed concerns over the epidemic of bath salts in the state.
"This funding will help restore these vital positions, upon which our neighborhoods and communities heavily rely, and is particularly welcome at a time when our state struggles to combat the spread and usage of mephedrone and MDPV (bath salts)," she wrote.
Snowe is a co-sponser of legislation authored by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, which would add MDPV and mephedrone to the list of controlled substances making their possession and sale illegal in the United States.
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Unfortunate
That the River Valley towns just keep on expanding their departments with no concerns about their tax payers our going to have to absorb later on. These towns, or Boards, just can't see the importance in talking consolidation or merging into one community for the continued presevation of all. Stronger in numbers, weaker with seperation must be the mental status of thinking of the minds that are in office in the River Valley. This country grew when we became one entity. In this modern day it would happen again if the local boards and managers would stop sitting on their ,you know whats.
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Frank I'm with you. If you pay attention to recent police logs in Dixfield there is just no need to have another officer on board. While I am glad they got the grant I don't think Dixfield residents should have to pay more for that officer after the three years. I think there were less than 7 incidents' in the last police log that was from the previous week. I actually think Dixfield would be just fine if they had no police department and just relied on the county sherriff's or made a contract with mexico or rumford to respond to calls here. And while I'm at it I would like to question why the big SUV is being used in the summer when the patrol CAR is sitting still. Don't they know that the car uses less fuel and the SUV should only be used when the car is already in use or the roads require a 4x4? I'm sure they don't really care cuz it doesn't cost them a penny and the SUV is much more comfortable and fun to drive. Also should they ever have to be involved in a high speed chase the car handles much better unless again roads require a 4x4.
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