A number of residents are asking that the Town delay hiring a new police chief in order for the Town to revisit what residents want from their police force. Their correspondence is in the packet for the Selectboard meeting for April 14, 2021 at pages 4-25.
“Due to the resignation of the Chief, we have an opportunity to take time to rethink what Norwich really needs in view of new understandings of the impact of policing on our communities,” wrote one resident. She notes that the last study of policing in Norwich was 21 years ago. That study is here.
One common thread in several letters is that the Town should analyze the 911 calls to determine what the Norwich police are being asked to do. Another is a public forum for the Town Manager to hear what residents want from our police department before hiring the next chief.
Town Manager approach
In his monthly report to the Selectboard, Town Manager Herb Durfee outlines a different process, one in favor of prompt hiring. He proposes that the forum happen once the new Chief is on board.
Once a Police Chief is in place, the TM plans to have the Chief at least conduct a number of public outreach forums where additional opportunity for interface between the department and the public can occur to discuss issues of concern, improvement, status quo, etc. Delaying the hiring process, short of a qualified candidate, is not in the best interests of the Town primarily because it’s important for the Police Chief to be an active participant in any community discussion and because the Chief serves shifts similar to a Patrol Officer. During the time the position remains vacant, the NPD is at 75% staffing – a staffing level that is unsustainable nor in the best interests of the community.
April 14 Selectboard packet at page 52
Observations
Does the Selectboard want to completely rethink the role or structure of the Norwich Police Department? A new police chief should share the Board’s vision. If the Town wants to re-allocate the police budget or re-imagine public safety, that is perhaps one kind of police chief. If staffing and budget are only likely to see modest changes over the next few years, that is perhaps another kind of police chief.
I don’t know if the Town Manager and the Selectboard are on the same page regarding the direction of the Police Department. They were not on police body cameras, with Mr. Durfee supporting their purchase and deployment. Is everything copacetic on the future of policing in Norwich?
Contact me at norwichobserver [AT] gmail.com.
It is not surprising that our Town Manager disagrees with the viewpoint of the public, or at least those members of the public who have made their views known about the hiring of a new chief of the Norwich Police Department. The Town Manager has never hidden his disregard of the opinions of the towns people of Norwich or their governmental representatives, the Select Board. Our Town Manager is an alcoholic authoritarian who brooks no disagreement with his big plans for our Town, who forces his will on the Selectboard and the Town to the detriment of the citizens. It is long past time when he should have been dismissed or terminated from the excessively powerful position he is in. Cramming down the throats of the townspeople another police chief without significant public input is just another of his authoritarian acts which show his unfitness for the job of administering the Town of Norwich.
I appreciate all the public comments about hiring a new police chief. But, making this personal is inappropriate and upsetting. We can do better.
I absolutely second Dan’s thoughts on keeping this a civil conversation. I also tend to think that Norwich has been served well by having a police chief. These are challenging times and likely to become more challenging as less stimulus money is provided by the government.
Personal attacks on the Town Manager have no place in a discussion of policing strategy. As a nonresident homeowner of over 30 years, I regard the active policing of Norwich an amenity and a quality of life issue. Response time is very important to me, and I suspect for just about anyone else in town not living in the village and perhaps not giving it much thought.
In my previous post I referred to the Town Manager as alcoholic. I write now to retract that. I apologize to Herb Durfee for referring to him that way. I was wrong to do so. I make no excuse for my behavior. I was wrong. I can do better, and will.
Ernie Ciccotelli