Give The Chief Probation

To the Editor,

I have read the report about Police Chief Lysaght. It appears that both the Police Commission and the chief were trying to micro-manage and had a lack of communication. In my opinion after only attending the Police Commission once – the commissioners will fire the chief. The obvious disdain on their faces and in their tone towards the chief was unmistakable.

I think the Police Commission should seriously think about the town before they make a decision because of personality differences. The report suggests that the chief sit down with the commission. If this is not viable due to personalities, then I suggest that those commissioners resign and be replaced with individuals that can – for the sake of the town.

I was chairman of the candidates committee that placed some of these people on the commission. These are just average residents with no special background – just volunteers. They can easily be replaced!

Let’s give the chief a probationary period of time as the report suggests. The only problem is who would oversee this – the same commission? Poor idea. I think it’s time for “community policing” to take effect in Newtown for the first time. Form a community-based committee, not the same old political based committee, to oversee this probationary time.

Wendy Beres

15 Turkey Hill Road, Newtown                                   February 29, 2000