Dalton Nears Decision on New Police Chief
DALTON, Mass. — Select Board members met virtually on Tuesday with three finalist candidates in their search for a new police chief, which is expected to conclude on Thursday.
Detective Sgt. Jamie Berger of the Wayland Police Department, Cpt. Robert Dersken of the Cortland (N.Y.) County Sheriff's Department, and internal candidate Sgt. Deanna Strout of the Dalton Police Department emerged in a winnowing process undertaken by a local search committee supported by consultants from Public Safety LLC.
Berger has been a police officer since 1993, most of that time with the Weyland PD, where he currently serves as detective division commander supervising four other officers. He feels he can make a bigger impact as chief in a small town.
"I could bring new community policing policies to Dalton," Berger said in his opening.
Dersken, who has served for 25 years in New York State, stressed his administrative experience in policy, budget and hiring as part of his current responsibilities for the sheriff's department.
"I'm a very hands-on supervisor," said Derksen. "You really have to be an active listener."
Strout, who was promoted from corporal to sergeant in the fall, has 23 years experience on the Dalton force, and a master's degree in criminal justice. She stressed her local perspective and experience, saying she wants to continue the positive momentum in the department that has begun since retired former Pittsfield Chief Anthony Riello became interim chief a few months ago.
"I have great relationships with our community, and it's going to move us forward," she said.
Prepared questions posed to each applicant focused on such topics as collaboration with town officials and departments, police reform, community policing styles and how they would approach leading a police force which has seen significant controversy and division in the past year.
"The town of Dalton has experienced significant change in the Police Department and town management in 2020 -- this includes the separation of the police chief, the termination of an officer, and retirement of the town manager," Select Board member John Boyle stated in a question that neatly summarized the municipal turmoil of recent months. "What actions would you take to instill a cooperative effort in an agency experiencing significant change?"
Derksen acknowledged that if he were to be given the position, he would need to work to address any relationships that might need to be smoothed over, given the interest in the position from internal candidates, formal and informal.
"I've got two people right off the bat that [will] think they should have been in my shoes, and that's going to take some work," he said.
"Sustained communication will be a hallmark of my tenure as chief of police," said Berger, who added he will implement "monthly staff meetings, quarterly supervisor meetings, and annual department meetings" to ensure that communication.
Strout stressed cultivation of teamwork and the gathering input from all officers on the force as key components, citing the recent shared effort by the department to revise its mission statement.
"I know our officers," said Strout, "I know what their individual skill levels are and how to motivate them."
The three candidates diverged further on what aspects of the state's police reform legislation could impact Dalton the most. Strout focused on mandatory new policies that would need to be created, such as reporting for excessive force, anti-retaliatory protection, and facial recognition. Berger spoke of recruitment challenges that could be exacerbated by the potential for loss of qualified immunity under the new decertification protocols in the omnibus bill. Derksen said a revamped certification process may impact the town's reliance on part-time reserve officers, but voiced stronger concerns about the potential budgetary impact of body cams in the future.
Discussion and selection from among the three finalists is expected at a subsequent meeting of the board on Thursday.
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