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playinghooky · 12-05-2006, 04:36 PM

Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Town elaborates on police probe

A police officer who offered "detailed behavior" about happenings within the town's police department ultimately prompted selectmen to place the town's police chief and two ranking officers on leave, the town's attorney told a standing-room-only audience at Town Hall Monday.

Speaking on behalf of town officials, attorney James Sessler read a prepared statement which was intended to expand upon a short statement that had been issued from Town Hall last Tuesday, following the decision to place Chief Kevin Iwans, Capt. Charles Anderson, and Lt. Edward Correia on paid administrative leave during a nonpublic session on the night of Nov. 27.

On Monday, Sessler informed the audience that, in September, he had been approached by a local attorney representing an Alton police officer who had concerns which that officer wanted to make known.

Sessler said that, after the officer was assured of confidentiality in the matter, he stated that "the selectmen are on to something" with their investigation into the Alton Police Department and, as such, should be allowed to continue with their investigation.

Sessler said he and the officer talked for two hours, during which the officer "detailed behavior" that caused Sessler to become concerned. Sessler said he shared his concerns with Town Administrator Russell Bailey.

Sessler said he and Bailey confirmed the officer's allegations with two other officers from the Alton department. Those two officers also were guaranteed confidentiality, according to Sessler.

Sessler said he and Bailey then began an investigation. Sessler said neither he nor Bailey involved the selectmen in the investigation and, further, the selectmen were not made aware of the situation until Monday of last week.

Sessler maintained that the selectmen have not been informed of the details of the investigation; they were told only that there was an investigation when they were asked to take action on Nov. 27.

Sessler said that, because the investigation involves a personnel matter and could result in disciplinary action, neither he nor any town officials could or would comment further.

Sessler said that, at some point in the future, details may be told, but he warned that "this may not happen."

"We reserve the right of privacy in these matters," Sessler concluded.

Sessler, on behalf of the town, had released a brief, cryptic statement on Nov. 28 which disclosed the fact that there was a "ongoing, preliminary investigation" being conducted by Sessler and Bailey based on information they received from "more than one" Alton Police Department personnel.

The statement continued by saying that the Board of Selectmen, at a nonpublic meeting, voted to take "such steps as necessary to insure the unrestricted completion of the investigation."

The statement concluded with the following caveat: "There will be no further comment until the investigation is complete."

Monday night's addendum to the previously released statement came in response to pressure from the public and the media to explain, in greater detail, what could be revealed about the conditions existing to warrant placing Iwans, Anderson and Correia on paid leave.
c. 2006 George J. Foster Co.

12-05-2006, 04:36 PM	#17
playinghooky Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 61 Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Article in todays Citizen Tuesday, December 5, 2006 Town elaborates on police probe A police officer who offered "detailed behavior" about happenings within the town's police department ultimately prompted selectmen to place the town's police chief and two ranking officers on leave, the town's attorney told a standing-room-only audience at Town Hall Monday. Speaking on behalf of town officials, attorney James Sessler read a prepared statement which was intended to expand upon a short statement that had been issued from Town Hall last Tuesday, following the decision to place Chief Kevin Iwans, Capt. Charles Anderson, and Lt. Edward Correia on paid administrative leave during a nonpublic session on the night of Nov. 27. On Monday, Sessler informed the audience that, in September, he had been approached by a local attorney representing an Alton police officer who had concerns which that officer wanted to make known. Sessler said that, after the officer was assured of confidentiality in the matter, he stated that "the selectmen are on to something" with their investigation into the Alton Police Department and, as such, should be allowed to continue with their investigation. Sessler said he and the officer talked for two hours, during which the officer "detailed behavior" that caused Sessler to become concerned. Sessler said he shared his concerns with Town Administrator Russell Bailey. Sessler said he and Bailey confirmed the officer's allegations with two other officers from the Alton department. Those two officers also were guaranteed confidentiality, according to Sessler. Sessler said he and Bailey then began an investigation. Sessler said neither he nor Bailey involved the selectmen in the investigation and, further, the selectmen were not made aware of the situation until Monday of last week. Sessler maintained that the selectmen have not been informed of the details of the investigation; they were told only that there was an investigation when they were asked to take action on Nov. 27. Sessler said that, because the investigation involves a personnel matter and could result in disciplinary action, neither he nor any town officials could or would comment further. Sessler said that, at some point in the future, details may be told, but he warned that "this may not happen." "We reserve the right of privacy in these matters," Sessler concluded. Sessler, on behalf of the town, had released a brief, cryptic statement on Nov. 28 which disclosed the fact that there was a "ongoing, preliminary investigation" being conducted by Sessler and Bailey based on information they received from "more than one" Alton Police Department personnel. The statement continued by saying that the Board of Selectmen, at a nonpublic meeting, voted to take "such steps as necessary to insure the unrestricted completion of the investigation." The statement concluded with the following caveat: "There will be no further comment until the investigation is complete." Monday night's addendum to the previously released statement came in response to pressure from the public and the media to explain, in greater detail, what could be revealed about the conditions existing to warrant placing Iwans, Anderson and Correia on paid leave. c. 2006 George J. Foster Co.