Wolfeboro police commission defends hiring push, accreditation plan as MRI inquiry and public criticism surface

The Wolfeboro Police Commission on Feb. 12 said it has five conditional offers for police candidates and reiterated an ongoing push to professionalize the department through updated policies and state accreditation, while responding to questions about internal investigations and an outside review that cost the town roughly $7,000.

The commission's chief executive, Chief Christopher Warren, told the commission, “We have 5 conditional offers of employment on the table.” Commissioners and command staff said the offers begin background checks and medical clearances; candidates who pass those steps will complete a final interview with the commission before any appointment.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the hires are part of a broader effort to stabilize staffing, raise entry pay to be competitive with nearby agencies and prepare the department for accreditation. The commission also addressed public concerns about alleged high numbers of internal affairs investigations and a March warrant season that includes articles affecting the police budget and union contracts.

Commission discussion and clarifications

Commission members and department leaders described several specific staffing and budget items. Captain Liddy and other presenters noted patrol activity and incident increases for January and described the department's fuel use and other operating details. The commission said entry-level pay recently was raised from about $23 per hour to $26.81 per hour for…