Dailey now 'top cop' ... highest paid chief in the area

PARIS — New interim Paris Police Chief Michael Dailey received a $5.55 per-hour raise when he was appointed to the position making him the highest paid law enforcement officer in Oxford Hills (excluding the state police).

The board of selectmen unanimously confirmed Dailey's appointment following an executive session on November 30.

On Monday, Paris Finance Director Marjorie Risica said Dailey was paid $23.30 per hour when he served as Lieutenant on the force.

As Interim Chief, Dailey's starting rate of pay is $28.85, according to an employment agreement between Dailey and Interim Town Manager Elizabeth Knox.

Dailey's pay rate is substantially higher than that of former Police Chief David Verrier, who was making $25.91 when he left the force November 30.

Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant earns approximately $26.18 per hour, according to Chief Deputy Hart Daley. Oxford Police Chief Jon Tibbetts earns $26 per hour and Norway Police Chief Robert Federico earns $24.58 per hour.

On Monday, Selectboard Chair Sam Elliot said the board had negotiated a salary with Dailey it considered appropriate.

"We didn't put it in terms of other cops in the county or anything else ... we just thought that would be a fair amount," Elliot said.

According to Elliot, Dailey's pay rate would apply only while he was interim chief.

"That's his pay as chief," Elliot said. "I suppose if he went back to lieutenant, we wouldn't pay him to be chief."

According to Risica, Dailey's pay increase, although not budgeted, should be offset by lower wages being paid to several officers recently brought onto the force.

The new officers are receiving less per hour than some veterans who left Paris PD in the past year, she said.

Risica said that if any contingency spending was needed to cover Dailey's new salary, it would be minimal.

Audit

Dailey's appointment is for a six-month period. During that time the board intends to conduct a formal search for a permanent replacement, said Selectboard Vice Chair Bob Kirchherr at the November 30 meeting.

Board members also authorized Dailey and recently-hired Town Manager Amy Bernard to authorize, at their discretion, an audit and review of the police department by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association.

At its November 26 meeting, the board voted to cancel the evaluation and wait to see what changes a new police chief might make.

"We cancelled it before because we didn't know if we wanted to continue it or not," Elliot said.

According to Elliot, Bernard and Dailey thought the evaluation would be valuable.

To dispel any confusion, Elliot explained that the audit was not necessarily financial –  it was an evaluation of the department's policies, procedures and operations.