WILTON – Three Wilton police officers on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of their job performance, have agreed to retire or resign, effective immediately. Town Manager Peter Nielsen announced the moves Friday at the town hall.

Officers Terry Warren and Robert Cole agreed to resign. Officer Edward Leahy accepted retirement, according to signed separation papers provided by the town. All three were longtime members of the department; Leahy has worked for the town for 29 years, Warren for 27 and Cole for 18.

The town, now left only with full-time Police Chief Dennis Brown, will continue to be covered by a combination of part-time officers, the Sheriff’s Department and Maine State Police.

District Attorney Norm Croteau said earlier this month that he met with Brown and Nielsen, bringing to their attention several problematic investigations handled by the officers. Croteau said there were a number of reports completed by the three officers that were so poorly done that prosecutors in his office were limited in their ability to get convictions. Earlier this year, Croteau ordered the department to turn over all investigations involving junvenile sex crimes to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation by Neilsen and Brown included a review of multiple and individual instances of conduct by each of the three officers, Neilsen said. The investigation included concerns about violations of departmental policies, rules and standard operating procedures, he said. Neither the town manager nor Brown would provide further details on the results of the investigation.

The retirement and resignations followed discussions with the officers and their union, Nielsen said, adding that their administrative leave expired Friday.

By contract and federal law, the police officers are entitled to their unused vacation time and allowed sick time and compensatory time, and retirements funds, but nothing else, Nielsen said. According to their separation agreements, the town paid the officers $25,394 in accrued benefits.

The three officers could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Following the announcement, Bonnie Lisherness, Crisis Response Coordinator for SAVES, the Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services, said she felt relieved and hopeful for the future with Brown’s commitment to getting people on board to participate in a coordinated effort regarding sexual assault cases.

A few local residents along with SAVES and Abused Womens Advocacy representatives were present for Friday’s announcement.

“After 30 years in police work,” said former Wilton officer Norman Spencer, “this is a little harsh. There’s stuff that should have been done years ago, but it shouldn’t have come to this. The three officers have my support.”

Restoring people’s confidence in the department would be done one call at a time, Brown said.

An officer, Brown said Thursday, is dealing with a person at what may be the lowest point of their life, but if the officer is honest and communicates what he’s doing and why and emphasizes, then the officer can gain people’s respect.

He wants the town to move on and for the department to provide quality service to residents, Brown said.

To help do that, Brown said, he wouldn’t talk about the issues surrounding the departing officers again because he wants the town to heal. And while talking is part of healing, to retell the story is only pulling the Band-aid off an open wound again, Brown said.