Chief's training waiver denied
Thursday, June 24, 2004
By KIM RING
[email protected]
BRIMFIELD - The town's police chief will have to attend training if he wants to have police powers in Massachusetts, selectmen have learned.
Police Chief Charles T. Kuss, who has for months been trying to obtain the waiver that would allow him police powers, is not eligible for the exemption because his post is part time, Selectmen Chairman Carol Delnegro confirmed yesterday.
"At this point, he's got to do it," Delnegro said of the training. "We're very positive ... one of these days we'll have him as a fully empowered police chief."
The state's Municipal Police Training Committee, which is charged with issuing the exemptions, recently asked the town to verify Kuss's status, the committee's executive Director Dennis W. Pinkham said yesterday.
Delnegro said she had spoken with a representative from the committee, who told her that the exemptions can only be issued for full-time police officers.
The news came two days after selectmen voted 2-1 to appoint Kuss to a second term. The motion was made to make the appointment pending Kuss obtaining his exemption, but selectmen did not place the chief on probation, as they did when he was initially appointed. The original probation had been extended twice since his Aug. 4, 2003, appointment because of the lack of an exemption, the most recent period ending June 3.
While Delnegro recommended a probationary period, Selectman Diane M. Panaccione said she wanted Kuss removed from his post until he has full police powers. Selectman Robert C. Cheney said he had "no worries" about Kuss' appointment and said the chief has done a fine job.
Kuss has been limited to performing administrative duties, though.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
By KIM RING
[email protected]
BRIMFIELD - The town's police chief will have to attend training if he wants to have police powers in Massachusetts, selectmen have learned.
Police Chief Charles T. Kuss, who has for months been trying to obtain the waiver that would allow him police powers, is not eligible for the exemption because his post is part time, Selectmen Chairman Carol Delnegro confirmed yesterday.
"At this point, he's got to do it," Delnegro said of the training. "We're very positive ... one of these days we'll have him as a fully empowered police chief."
The state's Municipal Police Training Committee, which is charged with issuing the exemptions, recently asked the town to verify Kuss's status, the committee's executive Director Dennis W. Pinkham said yesterday.
Delnegro said she had spoken with a representative from the committee, who told her that the exemptions can only be issued for full-time police officers.
The news came two days after selectmen voted 2-1 to appoint Kuss to a second term. The motion was made to make the appointment pending Kuss obtaining his exemption, but selectmen did not place the chief on probation, as they did when he was initially appointed. The original probation had been extended twice since his Aug. 4, 2003, appointment because of the lack of an exemption, the most recent period ending June 3.
While Delnegro recommended a probationary period, Selectman Diane M. Panaccione said she wanted Kuss removed from his post until he has full police powers. Selectman Robert C. Cheney said he had "no worries" about Kuss' appointment and said the chief has done a fine job.
Kuss has been limited to performing administrative duties, though.