By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

As neighbors, Bridgton and Harrison often share or assist each other when public services are needed.

They utilize the same officers for animal control (Carl Hoskins) and health (Cathy Pinkham).

If fire strikes, the two departments work together as part of mutual aid.

Could police coverage be next?

Harrison Town Manager Tim Pellerin, who was accompanied by selectman Rick Sykes, met with the Bridgton Selectboard last week to see if there was any interest in Bridgton Police providing coverage next door.

Harrison currently contracts with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for a full-time local deputy providing 40 hours of coverage per week at an annual cost of $124,570 (see sidebar for contract breakdown). 

However, Pellerin started to investigate other law enforcement options in late summer when popular local deputy Dan Hastings, who garnered praise from selectmen for his diligence and community approach, suddenly resigned as the end of his probationary period neared. When Sykes asked if he resigned under his own free will, Hastings simply responded, “no.” Because the matter fell under “personnel,” there was no public explanation as to the personnel change.

Selectmen felt Hastings (who is now a member of the Paris Police Department) “set the standard” as to what local officials looked for in town law enforcement work, and presented the former local deputy with a citation recognizing his efforts. Pellerin and CCSO Sheriff Kevin Joyce discussed the situation and looked to move forward by improving the levels of communication between town and county.

Yet, Harrison wonders if Bridgton might be a better fit?

BPD Chief Rick Stillman thinks the partnership could be a “win-win” for both towns.

From Chief Stillman’s perspective, the contract would enable his department to gain another officer and cruiser (Harrison would purchase a new cruiser every four years). The arrangement would also give BPD’s two sergeants (Phil Jones and TJ Reese) the opportunity to gain experience in overseeing the new coverage area, Chief Stillman said.

The chief pointed out that BPD already responds to calls (about 350 per year) in Harrison, either as back-up for the deputy or sometimes as the first officer on the scene.

Under the proposed contract, the chief would assign Harrison coverage “on a daily basis at irregular times.” The chief or his designee would notify Harrison’s town manager in a timely manner of any “major or significant” crime or incidents, occurrences or emergencies that occur in the town. Harrison would receive a schedule for officers assigned to the town, and a monthly report summarizing the calls for service, traffic stops, warnings/summonses issued.

The chief would make “all decisions regarding discipline, hiring and firing of the police officers” and when appropriate, the chief would provide Harrison officials with written responses to citizen inquiries and complaints directed toward BPD (30 days of filing).

“All police officers providing services to Harrison shall be employees of the BPD, and not those of Harrison, and that the BPD shall be responsible for the payment of any compensation or indemnity to any such employees because of injury or sickness arising out of his or her employment,” the contract states. This was a question Bridgton Selectboard member Bear Zaidman raised.

From Harrison’s perspective, the town would gain greater consistency in terms of the officers serving the community (relationships can be developed if there is less turnover), greater access to police response (Bridgton is close by) and greater flexibility in terms of when an officer is patrolling the town. Pellerin noted that when the local deputy is off, sometimes the closest county officer might be in Sebago or even Harpswell. Pellerin added that the biggest problem the town has is speeding.

Pellerin noted that if BPD did assume contract coverage that county would still service Harrison, as it does with other Cumberland County communities.

Bridgton selectmen requested to see specific call numbers involving the two towns, which will be reviewed at a workshop this Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m.

Pellerin hopes to get an answer sooner than later so the town can budget appropriately.

Bridgton presently has seven full-time officers, including new hire Matt Regis, who graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy on Nov. 27 and began his duties with the BPD on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The department also has one reserve, Officer Michael Chaine.

Regis is one of Maine’s 62 newest police officers having graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.  The new officers completed 18 weeks of study and training.  Among the topics studied were crime scene processing, first aid, traffic and criminal law, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Regis is from Thompson, Conn., and attended Killingly High School. He studied conservation law enforcement at Unity College, volunteered for the Connecticvut Audubon Society and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (West Thompson Lake), and is a former backcountry/wilderness intern with the U.S. Forest Service (White Mountain National Forest).

At the graduation ceremony, Farmington Police Chief Jack Peck, who is president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, told the new officers to “stay humble, polite and professional. Have compassion, and always be fair.”  

BPD has another new hire in the pipeline as Ryan McCloud will start Dec. 30. He will attend reserve training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy on Jan. 6 and the full Academy in May 2020.