Bethel police chief still paid but "unavailable to the police department," town manager says

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Alan Carr 

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- Amber Waterman/Sun Journal

BETHEL — Police Chief Alan Carr has been on a paid suspension from his duties the past two weeks, Town Manager James Doar confirmed Friday.

"Yesterday was payday and he got a paycheck, just like everybody else," Doar said.

Carr's official employment status has been kept secret from the public since a dispute with the town manager led to the suspension. Doar would not disclose any details of the dispute.

Selectmen earlier this week held two executive sessions to discuss personnel issues, including one with Carr. Doar also met with Carr and the town's attorney in private earlier this week.

As of midday Friday, Doar said no decision on Carr's employment status with the town had been made.

"It's not final yet, but I wish it were," Doar said, adding he was frustrated that he couldn't provide more information to the public. "I would like to get this done and over with."

Town officials had not advertised to fill the police chief's position, Doar said. The town has a standing policy to take applications and resumes from potential job candidates whether or not there is an open position.

"For the time being, we have no intention of filling that position," Doar said.

He said Carr, while being paid, was not available to the Police Department "pending further notice." 

A message left for Carr at his business, Western Maine Public Safety Supply Inc. in Oxford, was not immediately returned.

Carr has served the state and the community for more than 30 years as a law enforcement officer and Doar had no intention of "disparaging" Carr's career, Doar said.

Under state labor laws, if a public employee is disciplined, the record of the disciplinary action and the cause for the discipline must be made public.

Carr, 61, was hired as chief in 2004. He is a 25-year veteran of the Maine State Police. If he resigns from the Bethel post and signs a separation agreement with the town, the reasons leading to his departure may or may not be made public.

sthistle@sunjournal.com