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Berwick police chief says he may run for state House while department readies promotions and tech upgrades
Summary
Berwick’s police chief told the select board he is considering a run for State House District 149 and asked the board to consider whether he could serve concurrently as police chief; the board asked for a written plan. The meeting also covered staffing changes, candidates for promotion, body cameras under review and a $1,611 forfeiture acceptance motion.
The police chief told the Berwick Select Board on May 11 that he is considering running for State House District 149 and asked the board to evaluate whether he could serve in both roles while maintaining police operations.
The chief said he initially agreed to run as a placeholder but now is “looking to see if the board would consider me doing both the police department and holding office.” He told board members he has a plan for coverage during legislative days, described being able to return in emergencies and offered to provide a written memo with details of how departmental duties would be handled.
Why it matters: the town’s police chief is the head of a municipal public-safety operation; any arrangement that splits executive duties and a part-time legislative schedule would require the board to be satisfied that public-safety coverage, promotion and command continuity would not be compromised.
Board members asked for more detail before taking a vote. One member said he would be “leaning toward yes” if the chief shows a “good plan,” while others asked for a written transition and coverage proposal and for time to review it.
In the same report, the chief outlined personnel and operational updates: one full‑time certified position remains open, an officer at the academy is set to graduate June 5, and longtime Captain Jerry Lockach will retire in December after roughly 38 years, prompting a promotional process expected to begin in September. Recent hires included Officer Greg Signney and a reserve officer, Christopher Carney; an administrative assistant, Chris Guay, replaced a retired employee.
The chief also described public-safety work the department is pursuing: covert speed-data devices used to collect neighborhood traffic information, training for local nonprofits (House of Hope) and the library on handling disruptive individuals, and ongoing evaluation of a body-camera vendor that integrates with the town’s cruiser-camera system.
The board also considered a procedural item tied to a drug-trafficking case: staff asked the board to authorize the town to accept up to $1,611 in seized cash should the state transfer the funds (docket YRK CD-CR-2023-00216). A motion to authorize acceptance of forfeiture up to that amount was made and seconded, and the chair called the question.
What’s next: The chief will provide the written plan requested by the board describing how departmental coverage and command responsibilities would be handled if he runs; the board will review that plan before deciding whether to permit dual service. The body‑camera procurement remains in process and will return to the board for any required approvals.
