by Frank Schroth

On the recommendation of Chief Richard Wells the Board of Selectmen by unanimous vote approved Lieutenant John King to replace Charlie Paris as Deputy Chief for Operations. Deputy Paris will be retiring this spring. In his comments to the board, Chief Wells said that is was “a personally sad moment .  .  . we went through the ranks together.”

Wells also said it was a difficult decision due to the high number of well qualified officers in the department. He said it was a decision he labored over “more than any decision I have made.”  Wells noted Lt. King’s negotiation skills with the union and a style similar to that of his own as a couple of the reasons for his choice. The lieutenant prefers to “communicated to resolution rather than litigate to resolution,” said Wells. Among King’s qualifications is a law degree from New England School of Law. He graduated cum laude.

His salary will need to be negotiated with the Selectmen. Wells recommended and the Selectmen agreed that Lt. King would serve as Deputy Chief on an interim basis shadowing Deputy Chief Paris until he resigns at the end of June at which time King will formally assume duties of Deputy Chief. Wells said his budget could absorb the cost the salary adjustment during the interim period. “I don’t need extra money to do this.”

Selectman Sweeney applauded Paris saying, “Chuckie Paris was a policeman’s policeman.