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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 Chief quits in Sturbridge
By Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF


STURBRIDGE— The Board of Selectmen last night accepted a letter of resignation from Police Chief Thomas R. Button, 25 days after he was placed on administrative leave for a personal family issue.

Selectmen met in executive session just under two hours to “hear a complaint brought against a public employee.”

Their decision was 5-0 to accept the eight-year chief’s resignation, which takes effect June 30.

Chief Button submitted the letter yesterday.

He had been on leave since May 5. He was not at the meeting.

Afterward, Board Chairman Arnold P. Wilson would not divulge details of the chief’s departure.

Chief Button has held the appointed position since early 1998.

Mr. Wilson answered “no comment” when asked whether the chief was asked to resign.

“We received the letter; we acted upon it,” Mr. Wilson said.

Mr. Wilson said the board would act soon in formulating a search committee in accordance with the town charter to find a successor.

The police chief’s salary is $104,625.

The force’s second-in-command, Lt. Thomas Ford, is currently in charge.

Before joining Sturbridge police in early 1998, Chief Button held a similar post in Athol for four years.

He had also served 16 years with the New York State Police.

As an appointed employee, Chief Button did not have a contract.

He also served as Sturbridge’s emergency preparedness coordinator, and on the town’s emergency planning, streetlight, safety and traffic safety committees.

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Posted by: ibpoguy

That man (Chief Button) screwed over a bunch of real good cops over the years out there. I guess one guy was going through some marriage problems of his own and the chief held it against him and made him resign. He's a great cop too.

From the stories I've heard, Button was always on a power trip and use to make up a lot of things to ruin honest officers reputations. A lot of guys there have tire marks on their backs from being thrown under the bus by Button. His departure will be no loss to the Town of Sturbridge, as he was a giant "button" that needed to be pushed! I can't imagine losing your family, job, and a portion of your retirement in just three weeks time. All because his wife caught him with the hairdresser. He should have practice what he preached! I'm glad the selectmen finally woke up and saw this man for who he really is.

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Posted by: j809

Quote:

He had also served 16 years with the New York State Police.

That should have raised a flag right there. 16 years, 4 years away from a pension and he leaves. Hmmm.

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Posted by: no$.10

Quote:

Originally Posted by j809 That should have raised a flag right there. 16 years, 4 years away from a pension and he leaves. Hmmm.

EXACTLY what I was thinking.

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Posted by: dcs2244

Is this the turd that put GPS in all the cruisers (and not for officer safety reasons)?

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Posted by: futureMSP

Yup thats him. I also had heard that he refuses to attend any of the Chief's Association meetings because he already knows it all. I had also heard he was in IA back in NYSP. I am pretty sure on the accuracy of the Chief's thing but unsure on the NYSP IA.

But whatever, I am just glad that the PD will be able to run effectively. I knew someone who applied and was told he needed to sign a waiver so the Chief could review his personal cell phone usage at anytime to assure he wasn't talking on it during his work hours.

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Posted by: irish937

D. All of the above. Oh, I thought I was taking a test. In Athol, he implemented a location check EVERY half hour. He disciplined dispatchers if they forgot, officers if they did not give an EXACT location and supervisors for not checking enough. God forbid we would ever want to treat our police like professionals. He used to tell my chief that he was not hard enough on us. Thank God my old boss had his own mind and did not follow this nitwit on a power trip. I feel for the town of Sturbridge (snowballed to the tune of $104 large a year) and the good officers who lost their jobs because of this piece of garbage. Good riddance.

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Posted by: Mitpo62

The scary thing about this whole situation is that this "button" is sure to rise again in a community near you. Politicians never learn.

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Posted by: ibpoguy

If he's an applicant in any town, I will see to it that the town gets all the info on him!

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