ROCKPORT — Rockport leaders were not sure how citizens would react after the Camden and Rockport police departments began working under one police chief last July, but as of Sept. 12, no complaints have been fielded. The new arrangement is effective, they agreed, and tentatively committed to continuing it for another six months, after the first six-month experimental phase concludes in December.

“I have have heard nothing but positive things about this development, so if there are voters who feel differently, I need to hear about it,” said Rockport Select Board member Brendan Riordan.

Following former Rockport Police Chief Mark Kelley’s retirement July 1, Camden Police Chief Randy Gagne stepped in to preside over both departments. At the Rockport Select Board meeting Monday evening, he told board members that the department systems and officers, although still separate, were effectively collaborating.

The town had contracted with Camden for Gagne’s services as of July 2, an arrangement that  entails Rockport writing a $2,388 monthly check to Camden.

The interlocal police agreement is based on that of Bar Harbor and Mt. Desert. Gagne and police department leadership (Rockport Sgt. Travis Ford, Camden Lt. Mike Geary, and Camden Sgts. John Tooley and Dan Brown) worked on the details of the agreement. Both towns retain their own leadership structure.

Currently, Gagne is paid $6,318 per month. Kelley’s pay, as approved by the town, was $4,933 per month. Camden invoices Rockport monthly on a pro rata basis. Camden is to continue to pay Gagne and make tax deductions and benefits.

The Camden Police Department currently consists of Gagne, Geary, Tooley, Brown, Detective Kurt Andrick; Officers Brook Hartshorn, Allen Weaver, Wes Butler, Tim Davis, Samuel Butler; Administrator Jeff Sukeforth; and parking enforcement officer Mark Bennett. 

Last week, Camden hired a new officer, Chris Hansen, who previously worked in law enforcement in Rhode Island. A former member of the Coast Guard, Hansen, 42, lives in the area with his wife and children.

Gagne also reported that he is close to hiring another officer for Rockport. 

“A nice young man from Washington,” he said. “A firefighter and EMT, who will be sent to the Maine State Police Academy for 18 weeks.”

The Rockport Police Department currently has four officers: Ford, Dana Smith, Robert Shaw and Jim Moore, plus administrative assistant Craig Cooley.

So far, so good

Gagne told the Rockport Select Board that the closer collaboration between the two departments, which grew off a strong mutual aid agreement and involved all officers getting sworn into both town governments, happened at the busiest time of the year — the height of summer.

Since July 2, Camden has responded to 1,524 complaints and Rockport to 1,097 complaints. Camden officers have assisted Rockport 61 times and Rockport assisted Camden 24 times.

Gagne said that at one point this summer, there were six incidents simultaneously underway in both towns. The two departments dispatched efficiently to all of them, he said.

“Even as hectic as it could get, it was still manageable,” said Gagne.

In addition to the daily activity, various officers are getting additional training, reported Gagne. That includes attending critical incident negotiation, statement analysis and interrogation method classes, as well as FBI supervisory training.

“We have combined policies and procedures, based on the town of Camden,” he said. “We had a very good mutual aid agreement, and are now able to give better coverage, rather than individual officer response.” 

“Those things were done right out of the box,” he said. “It needed to be done.”

The dual supervision is both towns is working well, said Gagne.

Additionally, the two departments now have similar weapons, and will conduct joint range qualification training this month.

“We have surpassed in two months where we should be at six months,” said Gagne. “Now we can slow down and refine some things. The officers in both departments have been very good and everyone is working together well.”

He also commended the Rockport town staff for being friendly and accommodating.

“Do you have any negatives,” asked board member Ken McKinley.

“I don’t have any negatives,” said Gagne. “I do have some long days. It has been a positive experience, and the officers have been great.”

In response to board member Geoff Parker’s question to him about the level of career excitement a police job can offer in a small town, Gagne responded: “It surprised me, the amount of what goes on over here. This is a very busy town.”

Parker asked if co-mingling with Camden officers and sharing new experiences expanded professional horizons, as well as job morale.

Gagne answered that just by enlarging the geography and territory opened up new experiences for officers.

“It gives a little more excitement to the job,” he said. “There’s a lot nights in the winter when 10 hours is an eternity.”

He added, “the joint trainings and meetings can only be beneficial.”

The two-town collaboration will be reviewed again in December. 

“I don’t think you are blowing any smoke,” said board member Owen Casas, thanking Gagne for his presentation. “I am hearing very good things.”

Gagne said he is always available by phone, 207-236-7953, and by email, rgagne@camdenmaine.gov.

 Related stories:

Camden, Rockport police officially join forces on six-month trial base

• Camden Police, neighbors now dealing with rash of overnight car burglaries

• UPDATE: Rockport Main Street, Mistic neighborhood hit by overnight house and car break-ins

• Terms of agreement: Camden, Rockport to decide on sharing police chief cost, services

• Rockport says farewell to police chief with spirit, heart and soul

 Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657