Skowhegan police: evidence sale funds accepted; department plans duty-weapon upgrade

The Select Board voted to accept $3,219.17 from the sale of property from the police evidence room and deposit the proceeds into the police department’s drug forfeiture capital reserve account.

Police Chief Bucknam described a reorganization of evidence following the department’s move to the Public Safety Building that led to the disposition of older items through a public auction. The board voted to accept the returned proceeds and deposit them in the drug-forfeiture capital reserve account.

Separately, Chief Bucknam recommended the department purchase Glock pistols from a Manchester, New Hampshire vendor after the department’s research and because certified Glock-dealer requirements limit suppliers in-state. The board approved the purchase and funding plan: a partial payment of $10,266.02 from the police drug-forfeiture capital reserve account and $792.02 from the police department donation account (the recommended vendor price was not to exceed $11,058.04). The chief said the switch to 9mm is intended to reduce ammunition costs and replace older firearms.

The chief also recognized officers who participated in recent drug-combat operations and described an FBI training brought to the area on threat assessment that drew about 60 attendees. He encouraged residents to call 911 for safety concerns.

What the board decided: To accept the auction proceeds into the department’s drug-forfeiture capital reserve account and to authorize the recommended duty-weapon purchase with the specified funding split.

Ending: The department said it will schedule officer training and qualification with the new weapons later this year; the funding will come from forfeiture and donation accounts, not the town’s general fund.