Southborough's next police chief will come from within force, board says
SOUTHBOROUGH — The town's next police chief will very likely be a current member of the town's 17-member full-time force.
The Select Board, during a meeting on June 14, voted 5-0 to promote a new chief from within to replace Kenneth Paulhus.
Paulhus had been on leave since February and resigned from his position on May 31. Lt. Ryan Newell has served as acting chief since Paulhus was placed on leave.
During its meeting on Tuesday, the Select Board voted to hire a consultant to assist in the screening process of all candidates.
Members also voted to approve a job description.
The job is described as a "senior management level position that is responsible for administrative, technical and supervisory work in directing the operations of the Police Department, in the maintenance of law and order, in the protection of life and property, and in the prevention and suppression of crime through the enforcement of pertinent laws and bylaws; all other related work as required."
The chief will oversee a department with 17 full-time officers, four reserve officers, five full-time civilian employees and five part-time civilian employees.
Among the new chief's "essential functions," is that he or she will be expected to develop long- and short-term goals for the department; prepare and manage the department's budget; and create "police programs designed to prevent and repress crime, to apprehend and prosecute offenders, and to recover stolen property; coordinates departmental actions with other law enforcement agencies and police departments."
The new chief must have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration or a related field, with a master's degree preferred. The candidate also must have at least 10 years experience as a police officer and have worked in at least three different functions within the department, including at least the past five years in a command position.
The board met in executive session on Tuesday prior to the open meeting to discuss initial candidates for the chief's job. Members did not identify anyone or say how many candidates they discussed.
The board next meeting is scheduled for July 12.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Southborough's new police chief will come from within the department
