SUNDERLAND — Anyone interested in replacing retired Sunderland Police Chief Jeffrey Gilbert has until Wednesday at noon to submit an application to the selectmen’s office.
The selectmen appointed a police chief search committee in February and charged it with starting the chief search no later than March 10 so its members can hold meetings and have a recommendation to the selectmen by April 15.
Eleven people volunteered for the search committee, though two withdrew due to conflicts. Selectmen appointed Gary Briere, Len Vonflatern, Mike Wozniakewicz, Laurie Salame, Erin Wyllie, Stacy Myer and Bruce Bennett. Devin Melnik and Alfred Albano were appointed as alternates.
According to the official charge, the selectmen want the search committee to provide a list of three to five unranked finalists the selectmen can interview. Gilbert retired on Feb. 15 and Sgt. Brendan Lyons was appointed officer-in-charge until a replacement joins the department. Town Administrator Sherry A. Patch said Gilbert started in the department in 1997 as a part-time officer and later served as sergeant until appointed chief in 2004.
The selectmen will be responsible for conducting reference and background checks for the finalists and securing the required confidential physical, psychological, credit and reference checks of the candidate they select for the position. Patch said the the police chief salary for Fiscal Year 2016 is $63,005.
According to the search committee’s charge, criteria for the job include a thorough knowledge of and experience with Massachusetts General Laws and procedures, a high level of personal integrity and self-confidence, an out-going personality, and experience and commitment to the development of a community-oriented policing program, among other traits.
The Sunderland Police Department consists of five full-time officers (including a chief), five part-time officers, and a part-time clerk for administrative support. The selectmen appoint all annually. Shelburne Control provides dispatch service for the department.
You can reach Domenic Poli at:
dpoli@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 257.
On Twitter, follow @DomenicPoli