By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

MONMOUTH – The city of Lewiston will loan a 16-year police veteran to the Monmouth Police Department while the community grapples with the future of local law enforcement.

Sgt. James Minkowsky will be Monmouth’s interim police chief. He’ll have two responsibilities: helping to write a study of the department for a March 6 public hearing and managing the department for the next several months.

“We were looking for a good local person, a well-respected individual who can do these two things,” said Paul Bird, Monmouth’s interim town manager. “We want someone who can help the department along, and represent it in a fair light in the meantime.”

Minkowsky has lived in Monmouth for 15 years.

Voters there will go to the polls on March 14 to decide whether they want to continue to pay for a municipal police department or contract with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department.

Minkowsky’s report could help settle that, Bird said. Minkowsky will study the department’s operations and the town’s needs and prepare a presentation for citizens at a March 6 public hearing.

“He’ll look at what the differences are between the two options, the economic benefits,” Bird said. “We know that if we go with Kennebec County, we lose local control. But we want to find out what else that means.”

The department’s future is the heart of the controversy that has taken a toll on the town. Police Chief Charles Shaw stepped down earlier this month. Leonard Bates, the former chairman of the Board of Selectmen, resigned in October citing “the hostile attitude by some at recent board meetings.” Jason Simcock, the then-town manager, also resigned in October.

The Board of Selectmen lost another member last week when Ron Moody stepped down.

Minkowsky said he’s not nervous about the job.

“Right now, I’m just looking at it like another challenge,” he said.

The Monmouth Police Department at full force has four full-time officers and a chief, but resignations have left one full-time officer and two reserve officers.

“That’s my biggest concern – not having the size staff that I’m used to in Lewiston,” Minkowsky said. “But that’s just one of my goals. The biggest part for me will be putting together a top-to-bottom review of what’s going well, what needs to be improved and what things an agency of this size can offer the town.”

Minkowsky will continue to receive his Lewiston salary of about $1,500 per week. Monmouth with pay Lewiston back for the time he spends working there. Lewiston Police Chief Bill Welch said it’s a good deal for both departments.

“We get to give our officer some experiences he couldn’t get otherwise,” Welch said.

Minkowsky said he’s not interested in leading the Monmouth department on a permanent basis. He plans to begin the temporary job later this week or early next week.

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