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AUGUSTA

City will pay for police study

Police chiefs' group to be paid $52,000

By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- City councilors voted unanimously on Thursday to have a $52,000 study done of the city's police force.

The independent study is expected to look at nearly every aspect of department operations, including staffing levels, efficiency, workload, structure, organizational culture, and responses to various types of crimes.

Councilors approved City Manager William Bridgeo's recommendation to hire the International Association of Chiefs of Police to conduct a comprehensive study of the department. The nonprofit association represents law enforcement executives and has some 20,000 members in 100 countries.

Councilors first discussed the study at a meeting last week during which Police Chief Wayne McCamish announced his plan to retire in December.

Councilor Mark O'Brien questioned the timing of conducting such a study while the city transitions to a new police chief.

"I'm wondering, someone who might apply for this job, what they might think of this process being ongoing, the results of which may not fit their philosophy," O'Brien said.

Bridgeo said the timing has benefits in that McCamish will be available to participate in the study and provide information, and benefits in having a new chief come in as potential study recommendations begin to be implemented.

"I've had experience, in another community, doing a comporable study and my expectation is there will be a series of important recommendations," Bridgeo said. "It will be an ideal time, with a new chief, to begin the process of implementing those recommendations."

Bridgeo said the report could also provide timely information which could help resolve issues including scheduling, promotional procedures, and policies on training, equipment and uniforms, which have come up between the city and the three unions representing employees of the police department in ongoing contract negotiations.

McCamish's retirement in December and the study of the department he's led for the last 18 years appear unrelated. Councilors said they have heard from constituents who don't feel the city has enough police on patrol.

McCamish, who said he's retiring due to anticipated changes to the city's policy on retiree health benefits, has spoken in favor of having the study done, encouraging councilors to heed its findings.

Funding for the study will come from the Police Department's existing budget. Bridgeo said the study would take between three and five months to complete.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com