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playinghooky · 12-09-2006, 06:04 PM

Officer reinstated as probe continues

By ROGER AMSDEN
Union Leader Correspondent
18 hours, 3 minutes ago

Alton – Captain Charles Anderson, one of three police officers who was placed on paid administrative leave by selectmen last week, has been reinstated.

A statement issued by James Sessler, town attorney, and Town Administrator Russell Bailey, said Anderson, a captain, had cooperated with the investigation and no disciplinary action was being taken against him.

The statement said "We expected Captain Anderson to tell the truth. He has told us the truth to the extent of his knowledge. There is no disciplinary action being taken against Captain Anderson." Still suspended while the investigation is ongoing are Chief Kevin Iwans and Lt. Edward Correia, who along with Anderson were suspended following a non-public session held by selectmen with Sessler and Bailey on Nov. 27.

It was at that meeting the five selectmen learned of an investigation being conducted by Sessler and Bailey regarding allegations made by a member of the police department against other members of the department, Sessler said in September, shortly after selectmen attempted to adopt a number of policies aimed at perceived problems with the police department, he was approached by an attorney representing an officer who sought assurances of confidentiality before the officer met with Sessler at his Franklin law office.

Sessler said the information presented by the officer, who told him selectmen were "on to something" in their attempt to change police department policies, warranted further investigation and was confirmed to him by two other officers that he interviewed.

He said further investigation was authorized by Bailey, and information regarding the investigation was not revealed to selectmen, several of whom have been embroiled in public disputes with Iwans and other department members, until last Monday's closed door meeting.

The statement issued Thursday further said the three were placed on leave with pay in order to ensure "the proper functioning of the investigation. This action was not intended as a statement that those individuals did anything wrong. In fact, we did not reveal the individuals' names because we did not want the public to jump to conclusions." Sessler and Bailey said they will not disclose the reasons for the investigation because it is a personnel matter that could result in disciplinary action.

"We reserve the right of privacy in these matters," the statement said.

12-09-2006, 06:04 PM	#27
playinghooky Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 61 Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Todays Union Leader Article - One officer reinstated Officer reinstated as probe continues By ROGER AMSDEN Union Leader Correspondent 18 hours, 3 minutes ago Alton – Captain Charles Anderson, one of three police officers who was placed on paid administrative leave by selectmen last week, has been reinstated. A statement issued by James Sessler, town attorney, and Town Administrator Russell Bailey, said Anderson, a captain, had cooperated with the investigation and no disciplinary action was being taken against him. The statement said "We expected Captain Anderson to tell the truth. He has told us the truth to the extent of his knowledge. There is no disciplinary action being taken against Captain Anderson." Still suspended while the investigation is ongoing are Chief Kevin Iwans and Lt. Edward Correia, who along with Anderson were suspended following a non-public session held by selectmen with Sessler and Bailey on Nov. 27. It was at that meeting the five selectmen learned of an investigation being conducted by Sessler and Bailey regarding allegations made by a member of the police department against other members of the department, Sessler said in September, shortly after selectmen attempted to adopt a number of policies aimed at perceived problems with the police department, he was approached by an attorney representing an officer who sought assurances of confidentiality before the officer met with Sessler at his Franklin law office. Sessler said the information presented by the officer, who told him selectmen were "on to something" in their attempt to change police department policies, warranted further investigation and was confirmed to him by two other officers that he interviewed. He said further investigation was authorized by Bailey, and information regarding the investigation was not revealed to selectmen, several of whom have been embroiled in public disputes with Iwans and other department members, until last Monday's closed door meeting. The statement issued Thursday further said the three were placed on leave with pay in order to ensure "the proper functioning of the investigation. This action was not intended as a statement that those individuals did anything wrong. In fact, we did not reveal the individuals' names because we did not want the public to jump to conclusions." Sessler and Bailey said they will not disclose the reasons for the investigation because it is a personnel matter that could result in disciplinary action. "We reserve the right of privacy in these matters," the statement said.