CAMDEN — In a low-key yet historic development, all of Camden and Rockport police officers gathered, in uniform, at the Camden Public Safety Building to sign documents that officially combine them as one mutual aid force for six months.

The quasi-merger is an experiment that began July 2, when Rockport hired Camden Police Chief Randy Gagne to be its part-time police chief. The development came subsequent to the retirement of Rockport Police Chief Mark Kelley.

On July 12, papers were signed by the police officers in both towns, and they were all sworn in by Camden and Rockport town clerks Katrina Oakes and Linda Greenlaw, respectively, to serve as officers across the town lines.

“Working together is already proving to be beneficial,” said Gagne, speaking to the roomful of officers, the town clerks, two town managers and the press.

Gagne cited the July 12 two-town investigation of recent car burglaries that occurred in Rockport and Camden, and which has been almost concluded with the confession by a 16 year-old Rockport male to the offenses.

“Those are the things we want accomplished,” said Gagne.

Camden Town Manager Patricia Finnigan told the officers that the two towns are safer because of their efforts.

“Camden and Rockport are so lucky to have its police forces,” she said. “We are safer community because of the work you all do. You are the people who often see people at their worse. We are grateful for your work.”

Finnigan stressed that the six-month experiment is not being taken for granted.

“We want to know what's working well and what's not working,” she said. “Don't let things fester. We already have good working relationships.”

She said the opportunity exists for more professional development and more training.

“You have gratitude of two town managers, 10 select board members and citizens of Camden and Rockport,” said Finnigan. “See you around town.”

Rockport Town Manager Rick Bates told the officers that the key to the success: “is you guys. Nothing is more important to the success than how you guys work together. If anyone can do it, you can do it.”

This means that officers from both departments have the jurisdiction to cover complaints and incidents in either town. The move to combine the town police departments, both via leadership and mutual aid, is a temporary one that expires in six months, giving Rockport time to determine the future of its four-officer police department.

The agreement, according to Gagne, was lifted and amended from the interlocal police agreement between Bar Harbor and Mt. Desert. He 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, he said.

According to the agreement terms, approved by the Camden Select Board June 28, Rockport will begin paying Camden for police chief services. That involves Rockport writing an approximate $2,388 monthly check to Camden.

Currently, Gagne is paid $6,318 per month. Kelley’s pay, as approved by the town, was $4,933 per month.

Camden is to invoice 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, Lt. Geary, Sgts. Tooley and Brown; Detective Kurt Andrick; Officers Brook Hartshorn, Allen Weaver, Wes Butler, Tim Davis, Samuel Butler; Administrator Jeff Sukeforth; and parking enforcement officer Mark Bennett. There is one vacant position.

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

Gagne said Monday that he will make himself available to Rockport residents, and is available by phone, 207-236-7953, and by email, rgagne@camdenmaine.gov.

“I am accessible to the public,” said Gagne. “I am available. I can be found.”

Logistics of the agreement are:

1) Camden is to provide a cruiser or similar police vehicle to the chief.

2) Gagne is to work with the town managers and the departments to develop goals, review and update policies, develop a joint training schedule.

3) There are to be scheduled reviews of the effectiveness of the agreement in September and November.

On June 27, Gagne said the two police departments had already been consulting with, and assisting each other. He cited a high-speed chase on routes 90 and 17 the previous weekend. Gagne said the Rockport officer checked with the Camden police on-duty supervisor (Rockport’s supervisor was not on duty), who advised the officer to suspend the chase.

The driver of the car eventually crashed and was apprehended, Gagne said.

The agreement likewise worked the other way, said Gagne, with a Rockport supervisor assisting Camden with a domestic violence situation.

Related stories:

• 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