Tisbury selectmen hunt for new town police chief

Posted March 9, 2006

The Tisbury selectmen launched a search for a new chief of police last week, posting a job description on the Massachusetts Municipal Association's website.

The hunt for a new police chief stems from the selectmen's failure last June to reach an agreement on salary with Ted Saulnier, who has served as chief since 2002. According to Tisbury's 2004 annual report, the chief earned $78,249.60.

The selectmen voted not to renew his contract, which expired on June 30, 2005. However, under its terms he can remain in his position through June 30, 2006.

During that year, the possibility of renegotiating his contract remains open as well. Over the past several months, Chief Saulnier said he had been open to discussion but the selectmen were not.

"I have been willing to speak with the selectmen, but they have shut down the talks completely. The selectmen have chosen to go this route, not me," the chief said.

John Bugbee, town administrator, said he wrote a letter to Chief Saulnier in December informing him of the selectmen's decision to officially end any additional negotiations with respect to his contract.

"Since no discussions were held prior to December, it seemed natural to make sure everyone was clear on what was going to happen as the June 30 deadline approached, so he could have time to make any accommodations he had to make in preparation for this separation of service," Mr. Bugbee said. "We were trying to avoid him being left without a job, come June 30."

Chief Saulnier said he has not made any plans but intends to stay on the Island.

The job description posted at www.mma.org seeks candidates with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or in a related field (a master's degree is preferred) and eight years of progressive experience in law enforcement, with four years of supervisory experience preferred. Additional policing, management and supervisory skills are required as well. The salary range is $64,332 to $80,514.

Candidates must submit a letter of interest and resume by April 7, after which time the selectmen will form a committee and schedule interviews, Mr. Bugbee said.