Public can meet with auditors

PARIS — Members of the public will be given a chance to meet privately with members of Maine Chiefs of Police Association when it conducts an audit of the Paris Police Department in early December.

The board of selectmen voted unanimously to allow the private appointments during its meeting Tuesday.

Last month the board approved the MCOPA audit to assess policies, procedures, patrol functions, daily operations and management in Paris Police.

Board members declined to say if the audit was a reaction to accusations of improper conduct leveled against Paris Police Chief David Verrier and Verrier himself has welcomed the exercise.

According to Interim Town Manager Elizabeth Knox, MCOPA representatives asked if the town wanted to arrange a public hearing or private appointments with its representatives.

According to MCOPA it could be one or the other but not both, she said.

If the board decided to allow individual meetings it could cut into the time MCOPA devoted to the audit, she told the board.

Finance Director Marjorie Risica said holding a public hearing could be seen as more transparent than private appointments.

Board Chair Sam Elliot supported individual appointments, suggesting people might feel more comfortable speaking about sensitive topics in private.

Selectman Robert Wessels agreed private appointments were preferable to a public hearing and would make people feel more comfortable voicing their concerns.

Vice Chair Bob Kirchherr expressed discomfort with private meetings, although he said he wasn't opposed to them.

"I'm just a little concerned that public employees are put in a situation where they can't defend themselves in the context of a complaint," Kirchherr said.

Elliot responded that MCOPA were professional investigators and would be able to determine between legitimate and illegitimate complaints.

"If people have things to say ... it's up to these fellas, that's why they're here, to follow up on it," Elliot said.

"Either it's substantiated or it's not."

Knox told the board that MCOPA representatives assured her that no names or identifiable information was used in the association's final audit reports.

Members of the public who want to set up an appointment with MCOPA during the Paris audit should contact the association directly, Knox said. A public notice will inform people how to reach the association.

The audit is scheduled between December 3 and 5.