DIXFIELD – Selectmen are to meet with members of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association at the board’s next meeting in two weeks to learn how the group evaluates police departments.
Town Manager Nanci Allard told the board Monday night that “a number of people have expressed their concern about the police department” after last Thursday’s Sun Journal story that Dixfield officers were discouraged about caseloads and pay.
In that story, Patrolman Mark Dow said patrol duties were preventing more intensive investigations of some serious crimes like reported rapes.
Allard suggested that selectmen consider having the association evaluate the Police Department to decide if it needs more or less personnel. The cost, she said, would be between $4,000 and $5,000.
“It would be a benefit to the town to know what procedures and policies people would want, whether they have their own police department or it’s merged” with another town, Allard said.
Selectman Montell Kennedy said he was totally confused about her suggestion that the Police Department should be evaluated by outside consultants.
Allard said the chiefs association could reveal whether the department needs to hire a fifth officer or could split detective and patrol duties.
Selectman Tony Carter said that “some of those comments” made in the March 24 story “we’re pretty harsh.”
When asked his opinion about having the association evaluate his Police Department, Chief Richard A. Pickett said that Allard never mentioned to him that she was considering the idea.
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