Police Commission Had No Choice

To the Editor:

I believe we should all be very concerned at the reaction to the proceedings surrounding the Police Chief. The issues brought up are not new. The erosion of confidence has certainly been reported for some time now. The Police Commission is tasked with monitoring just these kinds of problems within the department.

Whatever friction occurred, an independent arbiter reviewed the entire matter. His report, which I have read, is clearly not favorable with respect to the performance of the police chief. In fact, it states that there is “just cause for termination.” In my opinion this evaluation is unacceptable for this position and I believe that the Police Commission really had no other choice.

This has certainly been a trying experience for all involved. The time for a “probationary period” is long gone. If one reads the arbitrator’s report, there appear to have been several probationary periods consisting of second and third chances to reconcile with the commission by completing requested tasks.

The town puts its faith in these commissions to act in the town’s interest. The personal and openly hostile criticism for staying the course on this is unjustified. The arbiter’s report is the real answer, not a lot of emotional shouts and threats.

Larry Haskel

3 Tamarack Road, Newtown                                        March 15, 2000