By Russ Choma
Correspondent

A hundred years ago, it was not uncommon for a town to elect a police chief, but as populations increased and the position’s responsibilities increased, most communities phased out the tradition.

Today, only nine communities still elect their top law enforcement officer, but voters in the town of Weare will buck the trend when they go to the polls this March and pick a new chief.

At last year’s Town Meeting, residents voted 903-776 to elect the town’s police chief, beginning this year. At the time, the chief’s position was filled by Myles Rigney, who had generated controversy since his hiring in 2000, and the vote was seen by many as a way around the long-term contract he had signed. Supporters of the change said Rigney intimidated residents and town officials and had crossed ethical boundaries. Although he was supposed to keep the position until this March, Rigney was abruptly placed on administrative leave by the board of selectmen. They have refused to comment on the reasons behind their decision.

At the time of the vote last March, several town officials and law enforcement experts urged voters to reject the change, saying an elected police chief might not be as qualified as an appointed one. However, with less than two months before the election, officials say they’re confident Weare won’t end up with a unqualified chief.

According to acting police chief William Quigley, even though the new chief will be chosen by the voters, he or she will still be a law enforcement officer, who will carry a badge and weapon and will have the power of arrest.

“In order to run for the elected position, the only criteria is that you’re a town resident; however, criteria is being set by the town,” he said, explaining the new chief will have to meet the same requirements as any of the department’s other officers. “Under department policy, any employee has to go through a complete review.”

That review includes a physical agility requirement, a back- ground check, a psychological evaluation and a polygraph test, Quigley said. The new chief will also be required to attend the state’s police academy in Concord to receive their certification. He or she will have six months to successfully complete the review.

Town Administrator Bob Christensen said the new chief can ask the board of selectmen for a six month extension of that deadline.

“If the background check finds out the person is an ax murderer, we’ve got issues, but if they’re unable to pass the physical then that’s an extenuating circumstance worthy of an additional six months,” he said. If no candidates run, or the new chief can’t meet the requirements, the board of selectmen will have the power to appoint someone to the position.

The filing period for candidates started Jan. 19, and runs through Jan. 28. At press time, Christensen said there had been no filings, but he was aware of several residents who are interested. He also said he is confident that a qualified applicant will step forward and run.

“I know there are some existing qualified officers (in town, who) if nobody puts their name in, will probably step forward and try and do something,” he said. “ Then you know a write-in candidate with four votes won’t become the elected police chief. There are some credentialed police officers (living in town) who won’t let that happen.”

The winner of the election will serve a three-year term and will be eligible for the standard benefits package provided to all town employees. The salary for the position has been set at $62,000 a year, which is a significant step down from Rigney’s salary, which is nearly $80,000 a year.

Quigley said the controversy surrounding Rigney, the efforts to unseat him and his eventual departure was a distraction, but the department has continued to run smoothly.

“The department hasn’t really gone off track, but with all the media that’s come upon us, we’ve hit a speed bump in the road,” he said. “But the guys are still out there doing their job above and beyond what’s expected.”

Christensen praised Quigley as a well-qualifed and capable interim chief, noting his 23 years as a state trooper. “It’s not like he’s a rookie or anything – we’re in very capable hands,” he said.

Quigley is not a town resident and is therefore not eligible for the permanent chief position. He said he plans to stay with the department, and said his job will be helping the new chief smoothly slip into the job.

“I don’t expect it will be a difficult transition,” he said. “In light of what’s been going on for the last couple of months, the department is pretty intact. We have some pretty senior guys, with years of experience in law enforcement and they’ll keep going out and doing their job.”