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Bethel Sheriff to Take Over Police Force

February 18, 2010 - OXFORD COUNTY -- The last Bethel police officer will sign off the radio in March, when the department ceases to exist.


At a special town meeting earlier this month, citizens voted to disband the police department. The town will rely on Oxford County to provide law its primary enforcement. Sheriff's deputies will have expanded hours, paid for by the town, to cover events during hours considered high-risk for crime.


A petition was quickly started to call for a new vote, which was rejected by the Bethel Selectmen on the evening of February 16.


However, the Oxford County Commissioners, meeting during the day on February 16, did not vote to enter into an agreement with Bethel until the town's selectmen resolved the petition matter.


County Administrator Scott Cole said the commissioners will probably hold a special meeting once he and the Bethel Town Manager James Doar have worked out the details of the agreement.


Sheriff Wayne Gallant, formulated plans to provide a deputy on duty almost around the clock, with brief gaps in coverage when shifts change and/or when the officer on duty in town has to take a prisoner to the county jail or render assistance outside of town. Those temporary conditions occur with a town department as well.


Currently, in Oxford County, only Buckfield contracts with the county to provide more hours of deputy service per week than would ordinarily be assigned. It pays the county for the extra hours of deputy time. Bethel's arrangement will be different in that deputies will be assigned there full-time. Bethel wants the same arrangement, but with more deputy time in town.


The county commissioners are expected to ratify the agreement at their regular, February 16 meeting.


Gallant said the Bethel Police Officers are welcome to apply to the sheriff's department, but will have to meet the qualifications current deputies do. The Bethel officers' equipment and vehicles will be turned over the county.


Doar said he expects Bethel to save about $18,000 per year from the change.


by E.C, Shanor, The Advertiser Democrat, February 18, 2010

Lakes: Bryant Pond
Regions: Sebago


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