By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

MONMOUTH – Local police have a good department that is worth preserving.

That’s the opinion of Sgt. James Minkowsky, a Lewiston police officer who’s serving as interim chief in Monmouth.

“It’s a good department now, and we can bring it to the next level of professionalism – if that’s what people want to do,” Minkowsky said.

That’s what people will decide next week at a special referendum on the Police Department.

“What they need is improved morale,” he said. “That’s the reason people stay in a job – pride in what they do and support.”

Minkowsky will make his case for preserving the department tonight, alongside representatives from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department who will present the benefits of closing the Monmouth department and hiring them to protect the town instead.

Voters will take that information to the polls next week.

Minkowsky will urge the town to create a public safety board to manage the department. That would create a buffer between police and the Board of Selectmen.

“I think the biggest thing is the officers want people in the community to understand and appreciate what they do,” he said. Most importantly, it would let police and Monmouth residents put hard feelings behind them.

“It’s just as important for everyone to focus on the future of the department,” he said. “We can stay in the past and stay upset about all that’s happened, or we can do our best about fixing things and moving on.”

Minkowsky came to the town as interim chief in February, on loan from his sergeant’s job in the Lewiston Police Department. His goal during the last month has been to manage the department and study it for the selectmen.

“I don’t think a day has gone by – even on the weekends – that I haven’t talked to at least one person about the department,” he said. Most are supportive, saying they want Monmouth to keep its department.

The report and referendum cap months of controversy after a critical report by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association released last summer. The Board of Selectmen split into factions, some urging the department be liquidated.

The controversy has claimed several officials. 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. Police Chief Charles Shaw and Selectman Ron Moody both stepped down in January.

Copy the Story Link