Northfield board to meet on police chief
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TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: July 2, 2009
NORTHFIELD – The Northfield Selectboard intends to hold a closed-door hearing that could decide the fate of police Chief Jeffrey Shaw.
The board announced its intention following a special meeting on Wednesday where they discussed Shaw's case in an executive session. The board voted unanimously to direct the town manager to notify Shaw of the "…selectboard's intent to hold an executive hearing…"
In its motion, the board said the hearing would be in accordance with a state statute regarding suspension hearings for police officers accused of being negligent, derelict in their official capacity or guilty of conduct unbecoming of an officer.
Shaw is currently serving a 21-day suspension of his law enforcement authority, but that penalty was imposed by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council. The town of Northfield has yet to take action against the chief.
The training council is the state agency in charge of training and certifying police officers in Vermont. Shaw received the penalty as part of a settlement with the training council for not fulfilling in-service training requirements. In letters to the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, Shaw certified he had received the training.
According to the statute, Shaw is entitled to have an attorney at the hearing and can also waive his right to a hearing.
The board intends to have the hearing held behind closed doors, said selectman Mel Adams, but Shaw could also elect to have the hearing be open to the public, Adams said.
"We don't do personnel actions in a public forum," said Adams.
It's unclear when the hearing will take place, but Adams said it won't be before July 19, because the full board won't be able to convene before then.
The board is required by statute to give Shaw notice of the hearing and outline the charges against him.
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