Former chief tapped as interim boss in Milton
MILTON — The Milton Police Department could see a return to old times if a retired police chief agrees to serve as interim chief starting next month.
The Milton Police Commission voted Tuesday morning to appoint former Chief Terry Hawkins as interim chief after the retirement of Chief Tom Gilland takes effect Jan. 7.
Tuesday’s meeting was actually the second time the commission voted to hire Hawkins as interim chief. The commission came to the same decision when it met Dec. 13, but it failed to post notice of the meeting beforehand.
The city recognized the Dec. 13 meeting as illegal and invalidated the decision made there.
Tuesday night, the Milton City Council agreed in closed session to offer Hawkins a contract that would remain in place until a permanent chief is appointed, said Mike Haas, Milton city attorney.
The contract offered Hawkins the same hourly rate he was making when he retired, $31.25. Hawkins would be considered an independent contractor and would receive no benefits, Haas said.
Hawkins or the city could terminate the contract with five days’ notice, Haas said.
Hawkins hadn’t responded to the offer Thursday morning, but he has expressed interest in the position, said Stephen Tupper, chairman of the police commission.
The commission is responsible for appointing a candidate for the next police chief. The city council then would negotiate a contract with the candidate.
When Hawkins announced his retirement three years ago, the city employed a private consulting firm to help in the search for a replacement. Tupper isn’t sure if the city will do that again, but said he would prefer the assistance.
As for the illegal meeting, it appeared to be a mistake and the city won’t take legal action, Haas said.
Tupper said posting the meeting was his responsibility, and he will be more careful in the future to make sure it happens.
The commission does not have any future meeting scheduled at this time, Tupper said.
“But if there are, I’m going to have them posted,” he said.
Dec 22, 2007 at 6:38 p.m.
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Um, well, alwaysoutoftowner, get real...it doesn't take long to screw things up...also, I would be concerned about his affectiveness to lead...This City was unwilling to pay the number one candidate the last time they appointed a chief and it appears Der Fuhrer Mr. Schmidt is unwilling to look past the dollars he likes to spend at the city hall to ensure that the Police and Fire Departments are able to provide good protection to the residents they serve... hang on Milton Area.
Dec 21, 2007 at 6:12 a.m.
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Um, it's a temporary position. They will be looking for a qualified candidate, and that will take time. It will all be okay.
Dec 20, 2007 at 10:38 p.m.
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Between this and the city freezing two positions, it doesn't seem the police have much support from city government. They'll be lucky if any of the ones still there don't start looking for new jobs soon.
Dec 20, 2007 at 7:04 p.m.
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Par for the course, bringing back an incompetent Chief at best. In his short term, Chief Gilliand worked incredible hard at bringing Milton PD up to a higher level. Lets hope the former Chief doesn't undo all that work in the short time he is there again. I agree with NorthernGirl85 what a slap in the face to the officers of the department. Looks like Milton does it again. The area is being quite a news mecca.
Dec 20, 2007 at 1:58 p.m.
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The first sentence in this article is priceless. Just what the citizens and employees for the City of Milton need, to return back to old times. What a slap in the face for the current officers!
Dec 20, 2007 at 11:29 a.m.
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Ask more questions, Gazette. Is he still licensed to be a cop? If not, what does that mean, and why are tax dollars being spent on this?
Dec 20, 2007 at 11:18 a.m.
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What, no qualified candidates available for the position?
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