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Littleton: Police chief quits, officials trying to find money

Started by KBCraig, October 03, 2006, 04:00 AM NHFT

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KBCraig

Some of those Grafton County folks should chime in.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Littleton+police+chief+suddenly+quits&articleId=72280606-7fe1-4aee-ac86-71275763035f

Littleton police chief suddenly quits

By LORNA COLQUHOUN
Union Leader Correspondent

LITTLETON ? After six years at the helm of this North Country department, Police Chief Cameron Brown is resigning at the end of the month.

He turned in his letter of resignation Friday. Town officials plan a news conference this morning to discuss his resignation.

Police Chief Cameron Brown resigns

The move comes amid growing turmoil in town government as it wrestles with its $6 million operating budget, lopped by more than $300,000 at March Town Meeting. Town officials say they will seek Department of Revenue Administration approval to overspend by $150,000 this year.

Brown, 49, said yesterday that he cut $70,000 from his budget in April and another $30,000 over the summer. A part-time secretary was laid off last month and the department's executive secretary turned in her resignation Friday, the same day as Brown.

The department has been the focus of criticism for the past three months, but Brown said yesterday morning that he made his decision to resign "after much thought and consideration."

"There are a lot of really excellent opportunities presenting themselves at this time," he said. "This decision comes at a fairly good time. The past few months have been challenging and trying."

Voters at Town Meeting defeated a warrant article that would have funded a police management study for the town by a 899-943 vote. A Citizens Advisory Board was formed after Town Meeting to act in an advisory role to the police department and selectmen concerning law enforcement issues.

A report issued by the advisory board in August noted: "There has been concern expressed by some in the community that the police department is moving away from a community policing model" and that "there appears" to have been a change in the way department is involved in the community, such as the lack of uniformed personnel at the crossing at the Lakeway Elementary School.

"However, shortly after Brown became police chief, civilian crossing guards replaced the uniformed officers," according to the report. "In addition the police department has made little or no effort to explain why this decision was made to the community."

The August report made a series of recommendations, including better communication between the town and the police department for performance expectations, including "the style of policing that they feel is in the best interest of the town."

The report also stated, "... those in the community most critical of the police department are not voicing their displeasure because they dislike the department. To the contrary, their dissatisfaction appears to rest squarely on a perceived lack of responsiveness by police management and town officials to the law enforcement needs of the community."

Brown was appointed police chief in 2000, following the retirement of longtime Chief Louis Babin. Prior to that, he was with the Ashland police department, was chief of the Bennington police department and was with the Antrim police department.


aries

They had some big drama over moving from the Opera house on main st to the old hospital