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Search committee set up to foster community involvement in police chief search

Police Chief Joseph Bennett, who will retire on June 30, sits before the Select Board at a previous performance review. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

The town is seeking residents to join a screening committee that will vet the first round of applicants in the search for a new police chief.

In a notice to residents last week, the town noted it is seeking “proactive and community-minded Hopkinton residents” to serve as members at large on the committee. These members will participate in interviews of candidates during the first round of screening. “The role is ideal for individuals looking to contribute to public safety initiatives in Hopkinton,” the notice states.

Select Board chair Joe Clark said that the town and the board want members who can take the time and volunteer for the community. He added that those selected will provide “important data” that the Select Board can use as the process for selecting a new police chief advances.

Clark championed the idea for the committee at a Select Board meeting on May 6. Its format would mirror the one used last year to identify and recommend candidates for the new Hopkinton Public Schools superintendent. Clark was a member of that screening committee.

The town is seeking six residents to sit on the police chief search committee. Clark said an additional six or more seats would be for other town officials.

“The whole intent … is to give a fair process, but also one where the community felt involved in it,” Clark said.

“There’s been a lot of discussion around the department,” he added. “We want to make sure we get this right.”

The committee will identify appropriate candidates to replace Chief Joseph Bennett, who is retiring June 30. Bennett served in law enforcement for 35 years, spending most of his career in Hopkinton. He was appointed chief in April 2020.

Clark explained that residents will be involved in the first stage of the selection process, and most of the committee’s work will be done in executive sessions to protect candidate privacy. After the pool narrows and candidates interview with a number of department heads, the public will have the chance to learn more about the finalists during sessions with the Select Board.

He added that the board hopes to hire a new chief as quickly as possible, but he acknowledged the way the process is structured could extend the timeline.

Residents interested in applying to be a member at large of the police chief search committee can fill out the Google Form the town recently posted online. Applications remain open until May 29 at noon.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

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Photo of the Day

Individuals check out the items available Saturday during the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library Book Sale.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR