Dexter chief criticizes Advisory Committee

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

 DEXTER — A suggestion that the Dexter Town Council authorize the creation of a Police Advisory Committee drew heavy criticism from Chief Kevin Wintle, some of the town’s police officers and their supporters at the July 9 council meeting.

 Town Manager Shelly Watson said that the idea stemmed from the town’s success with the Highway Equipment Committee “which has given us some valuable information. I can’t say if this committee would do the same thing unless we try it.”

 At first, councilors seemed receptive to the idea, pointing out that they’d have the final say on the makeup of the committee.

 “In a perfect world, you’d have people on the committee with law enforcement experience who could advise you on the type of equipment you’ll need,” said Chairman Michael Blake.

 But Wintle said he was opposed to the concept of the committee. “We have always been straight with the council. There’s a hidden agenda here and we all know it,” Wintle said.

 Officer Scott Jones asked the council if they knew of any other towns with a similar size police department that had an advisory committee. He also said that if such a committee was formed, they’d have to work with the Maine Criminal Justice Academy “so they’re not recommending things the department can’t do because it’s not in accordance with academy guidelines.”

 Wintle said that in his opinion, the council traditionally has supported the police department and added that Watson gave him an “excellent evaluation” during his annual review. “Every year we give back money (from the budget) and we’re very conscientious about our training,” he said.

 Questions also came up about where the suggestion to form the committee originated. “I have pretty credible information about who is behind this,” Wintle said. He alluded to a “personnel issue” in his department that may have promoted the movement, but declined to elaborate. He also said that people are “watching us, and that’s kind of disturbing. My officers have also seen it. But we have nothing to hide.”

 Councilor Fred Banks said that the advisory committee idea “has gotten completely out of hand. This is not anything I envisioned. I thought they would just be a resource for these guys. Never in my wildest dreams did I think they’d get involved in police work.”

 Councilor Fred Sherburne said that Highway Advisory Committee has worked well, and thought that a similar panel might have worked for the police department.

 But Sherburne also said that he received a letter on the day before the council meeting about the police department from a group only known as the Concerned Citizens of Dexter. “If a letter is unsigned, I don’t give it any credibility,” he said.

 Resident Nancy Roy said that Dexter “has a department that’s run by an excellent police officer. So why would you want to take a chance on creating chaos by people working behind the scenes?”

 Roy, the wife of former Dexter Police Chief Art Roy, added that she’s known Wintle for 30 years “and he’s done an excellent job every place he’s been.”

 After discussion ended, councilors voted unanimously to reject creating the committee.

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