SUNDERLAND — Anyone interested in replacing retired Sunderland Police Chief Jeffrey Gilbert has until noon Wednesday to submit an application to the office of the Select Board.
The board appointed a police chief search committee in February and charged it with starting the search no later than March 10 so its members can meet and issue a recommendation by April 15.
Eleven people volunteered for the search committee, though two withdrew due to conflicts. The Select Board appointed Gary Briere, Len Von Flatern, Mike Wozniakewicz, Laurie Salame, Erin Wyllie, Stacy Myer and Bruce Bennett. Devin Melnik and Alfred Albano were appointed as alternates.
According to the official charge, the Select Board wants the search committee to provide a list of three to five unranked finalists.
Gilbert retired on Feb. 15 and Sgt. Brendan Lyons was appointed officer-in-charge until a replacement joins the department. Town Administrator Sherry A. Patch said Gilbert started in the department in 1997 as a part-time officer and later served as sergeant until appointed chief in 2004.
The Select Board will interview the finalists, conduct reference and background checks and securing the required confidential physical, psychological, credit and reference checks of the candidate they select for the position.
Patch said the police chief’s annual salary for the fiscal year ending June 30 is $63,005.
According to the search committee’s charge, criteria for the job include a thorough knowledge of and experience with Massachusetts General Laws and procedures, a high level of personal integrity and self-confidence, an outgoing personality, and experience and commitment to the development of a community-oriented policing program, among other things.
The Sunderland Police Department consists of five full-time officers (including the chief), five part-time officers, and a part-time clerk for administrative support. The Select Board appoints all annually.