Selectmen to Pick Police Chief Finalist Friday; Vote on New Chief Monday

STOUGHTON, MA — The months-long process to find a new police chief is nearing its end and should be nearly completed by Monday night.

The Stoughton Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday night to interview three of the five candidates for the position Monday night. The board will pick the three finalists Friday morning.

The interviews will come on the heels of a three-day assessment center. Board members have access to the results and were scheduled to receive the results of a written exam Wednesday.

The board does not know the identity of the candidates and will be selecting the numbers assigned to the five applicants.

Chairman David Souza initially proposed picking a candidate Monday without an interview, finding the assessment center and report enough to make a decision.

“I think that committee did the job for us. I would like to see the paperwork, we have Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I think the job has been done, I think we have enough info,” Souza said.

Selectman Robert Cohn was open to interviewing two or three candidates, but was adament about getting a full-time chief in place.

“I told you we’re going to hire a chief in January and we’re going to hire a chief in January! It goes on, delays, we have the information in front of us, let’s get it,” Cohn said.

Following a decision Monday night, the board will enter contract negotiations with their pick. If the negotiations are successful, Stoughton will have a new top cop.

Since Police Chief Paul Shastany's retirement last spring, Lt. Donna McNamara has served as the interim chief

Image: File Photo