Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Commission topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charter panel keeps police commission size but seeks selectmen approval for chief and HR input on discipline
Summary
Group 3 discussed keeping the police commission at three members, supported requiring board of selectmen approval for the police chief, and agreed disciplinary actions should be initiated by the chief after consultation with human resources; legal counsel and police commission consultation were requested.
Charter Review Commission Group 3 discussed several proposed edits to the police commission and disciplinary language.
After hearing options, several members said they had not seen a compelling need to expand the police commission beyond three members, though some preferred adding an ex officio presence from the board of selectmen. The group did, however, endorse a drafting change proposed by staff requiring that the police chief’s appointment be subject to board of selectmen approval, describing that as an appropriate check and balance.
Commissioners also reviewed new language that disciplinary matters in the police department should be initiated by the police chief in consultation with human resources. Participants said they preferred the phrase "after consultation with human resources" (rather than the looser term "coordination") so that HR involvement would occur early in the process. They agreed to seek additional input from the police commission and HR and to run the revised text past the town attorney.
Next steps: staff will circulate the revised police chief selection and discipline language to Cheryl, police commission representatives and HR, and forward legal questions to counsel.
