Damariscotta plans to start its search for a police chief within the week and hopes to interview candidates and make a tentative offer by mid-June.
The town will place an advertisement in local newspapers and submit it to the websites of various Maine and New England law enforcement associations, as well as the International Association of Police Chiefs.
The advertisement calls for candidates “willing and able to address challenges prompted by budget cutbacks and staff turnover.
“Opportunities for the new chief will include developing and pursuing innovative practices to contain budget costs, addressing the considerable workload variations caused by seasonal population fluctuations and maintaining department credibility with citizens, elected officials, town management and employees.”
The deadline for applications is Friday, May 17.
Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus plans to work with the Maine Chiefs of Police Association Inc. to review the applications and select finalists the week after the deadline.
Three panels will interview the finalists. A selectman, the town manager and acting Police Chief Todd Brackett will sit on one panel.
A second panel will consist of residents and business leaders, while town employees will comprise the third.
The process will also evaluate candidates’ performance in “assessment centers,” which attempt to simulate law enforcement scenarios.
The chiefs association will run the assessment centers, which test reaction to law enforcement situations, as well as public speaking and writing skills.
The mid-June job offer would be contingent on the successful completion of a background check and psychological examination, Lutkus said.
The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 to approve a $1500 contract for professional assistance with the chiefs association at its April 3 meeting.
“I think it would add some credibility to the process,” Lutkus said. “We’ve had two police chiefs that have left here in the last two years and I think it would be good if we had this outside, neutral party involved in the process.”
