WORTHINGTON — The Select Board is mulling the idea of regionalizing its police department and is in the process of reaching out to the towns of Chesterfield and Cummington.
“We can keep working on it,” said Select Board Chair Charley Rose during the board’s last meeting. “I’m all in favor for sure.”
Worthington has a single officer, Chief John Scobie. He is assisted by Tracer, the town’s K-9. Cummington has two officers, Chief William Bissell and officer Tom Hartman. Chesterfield has three officers.
Select Board Chairs Kenneth Howes of Cummington and Roger Fuller of Chesterfield did not return calls for comment.
Law enforcement officials in recent years have highlighted the increasing challenges of serving the region.
Hilltown law enforcement has been especially challenging since a new police reform law took effect in 2021. Legislation now requires all officers to undergo rigorous training, even if they work part time. Many officers also opt for higher pay in other municipalities, making retention difficult. Geographically, these towns also rely on aid from State Police, who are often at least 40 minutes away.
Cummington only recently hired a full-time officer after the previous police chief, Michael Perkins, was found to have mishandled more than $90,000 of department funds in December 2025.
Under Perkins, license-to-carry permits and tickets were not being processed, donations were not being received, and other administrative shortcomings became common. Perkins was not found responsible for any theft. Money was located in envelopes in the police department.
Bissell stepped into his place, and became the town’s first full-time police chief. When he was appointed, it was made clear that another officer was necessary to ensure operations were completed in compliance with the law.
Rose previously pitched a partnership to Huntington, but its Select Board declined, citing bad blood over the Gateway Regional School District, Rose said.
In 2013, Worthington notified the district that it wished to withdraw. In 2018, the state Appeals Court upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to reverse the withdrawal.
