From the Eagle Tribune;
April 21, 2011
Atkinson to lose veteran police officer
By Cara Hogan chogan@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Thu Apr 21, 2011, 12:13 AM EDT
PLAISTOW — Veteran Atkinson police Lt. William Baldwin is leaving the department, but he's not going far. He said he will be hired as a lieutenant in Plaistow.
"I've been given an opportunity to better my career," he said yesterday. "Atkinson has given me everything they can at this point. Moving to Plaistow is a positive career move."
Baldwin has worked in Atkinson for 14 years, and in law enforcement with the military and as a civilian for 21 years. He said he applied for the position months ago when Plaistow received $231,000 from the Community Oriented Policing Services program to hire a new officer.
His salary, starting date and other details have not been worked out. He is paid more than $60,000 in Atkinson.
Plaistow Deputy police Chief Kathleen Jones could not confirm her department is hiring Baldwin because it's not official.
"Technically, he hasn't been formally hired by the town yet," Jones said yesterday. "He hasn't signed on the dotted line. It won't be official until next week."
But Atkinson is already feeling the effects of Baldwin's departure.
Atkinson police Chief Philip Consentino said he is devastated that Baldwin is leaving Atkinson.
"He's my second in command, my number one guy when I need things done," he said yesterday. "It's really a sad day in Atkinson to lose him. He is so well-respected by the residents, and he knows this town inside and out."
Consentino said Baldwin hasn't given his official notice yet, but there will be no counter offer from Atkinson. Consentino said he asked the Board of Selectmen to promote Baldwin in order to keep him in town.
"I offered him a promotion to the rank of captain and offered him a very slight increase in his hourly wage, $1 an hour," Consentino said, "but the selectmen refused to give him that and, consequently, he's leaving. It will cost more money to train his replacement."
Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said the board chose not to promote Baldwin.
"While Lt. Baldwin is a very good asset for the town, the town is not big enough to need a captain," Bennett said. "Also, we've had all town employees' pay frozen for two years. We didn't think it would be right to the other employees for Baldwin to be singled out and get a raise. We regret losing Baldwin to Plaistow, but we wish him well."
Consentino argued it would be very difficult to replace Baldwin and, until his replacement has been hired, Atkinson will be understaffed.
"I don't know exactly when he's leaving," Consentino said. "I've only got five full-time officers and if I lose one, I'm going to be in tough shape. I need two more full-time officers on top of the five I have. Summer is my busiest time."
Selectmen have the authority to hire new officers and Consentino has already presented a number of options for them to consider.
Baldwin said he hopes Atkinson residents will look at his new job in a positive light.
"I've given a lot to the town all these years and I'm very thankful to the people of Atkinson," he said. "They're why I stayed there as long as I have."
Baldwin also serves on the Timberlane Regional School Board. But he said there is no conflict of interest between his two positions and he will serve the remainder of his term, until 2012.
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Atkinson police Chief Philip Consentino said he is devastated that Baldwin is leaving Atkinson.
"He's my second in command, my number one guy when I need things done," he said yesterday. "
my second and my number one - ?
I like Bill and wish him the best.
Now we have one who won't let anyone get arrested without his personal permission and another who hates to arrest anyone!!
All hell can break loose in town and no one's gonna do a thing about it.
Bill Baldwin said
"I've been given an opportunity to better my career,"
His statement speaks volumes.
He couldn't stand working for you anymore and couldn't get out of your corrupt regime fast enough.
Having a hard time filling vacant slots? Its common knowledge among other departments Atkinson Pd is the worst PD to work for. The only new applicants you get are people who can't get work anywhere else. It's often stated most of the current officers are good policemen; however, their unwillingness to expose a criminal within their midst compromises a lot of the good they stand for, unfortunately.
The quality of officers will decline and continue to decline until a professional police leader that follows the law is brought in.
Atkinson is not safer under your leadership when you can't keep any officers who actually do police work. It's spiralling downward getting worse by the day. Only God can help us now.
All just my humble opinion
Humble Opinion? Hardly!
Truth hurts don't it.
Note how Consentino is using Baldwin's departure as an excuse to make the APD bigger --- Because I'm losing one officer, I need to hire TWO full-time officers to replace him. If he lost two officers, he'd claim that he needs four to replace them.
All Phil wants is a bigger, and bigger police department, with its accompanying increased budget, and to service is never-satisfied ego.
Next, we'll need to have to get a new police car to accomodate the new extra police officer.
Remember when Baldwin was promoted to Lt. and it was said that when Phil retired, Baldwin was going to step up to the Chief's position?
And remember how each year, Phil says that he would be stepping down in the near future--
but instead, keeps staying, and staying and staying and staying.
Baldwin was assisted and encouraged to leave with his realization that he would never be Chief because Phil's massive ego and need for power will never allow him to step down and allow for ANYONE else, including a long waiting Baldwin, to be able to move up.
Consentino is beyond retirement age but is so power hungry that he just can't and won't let go.
Right or wrong, many of the bloggers on this site, are ready to sit in judgement of others, armed with a range of facts from none to maybe substantial. I wonder if they would be as willing to see their every move judged by those who may not have any, or all the facts, but are willing to quickly pass judgement?
The blog---I guess...does serve a useful purpose...as a place for those people to vent...who would not want themselves on their own jury.
Funny. The only person who is allowed to have a conflict and vote themselves raises, have their family work for them, mingle monies from distinct budgets, use cars for personal use, use town assets for personal use, decide who get services and who doesn't...the ONLY person, is Phil.
He has been judged very lightly but comes down very hard on everyone he doesn't like.
So please do not tell me that the bloggers are over judging anyone, that's hypocritical.
Congratulations Mr Baldwin. I wish you the best in your new job. People sometimes forget it comes down to business. You need to do what is best for you.
The town will lose a good officer.
Maybe now the town will consider changing the part time police chief position to a full time position.
Best of luck.
Bill, nice move! No curse on the Police Department in Plaistow that I know of and no Cancer Cluster either. Consentino's doomed.
Just My Humble Observation
To 5:19 from 4:53...I rest my case. You are a self-appointed judge, jury and executioner. Stay in the blogisphere where you have no real impact!
To 4:53, I have held public position, and although I always tried to exercise my duties with neither pride nor prejudice, I was vilified by people who had no idea of the facts, but listened to a corrupt bully with a badge disseminate lies, and innuendo from the august position of a selectmen chair during an official business meeting of the town.
You, as well as every one on this blog have the absolute right to question your government in any manner you choose for their actions.
Your government and it's petulant officials DO NOT have the right to use their position to defame, demean, or otherwise attack their constituents, unfortunately Atkinson has earned that reputation.
Billy, I wish you well, but as I told you 5 years ago, you shouldn't trust Phil to negotiate anything for you. You should have gone into that meeting and stood up for yourself rather than trust him to do it.
Buona Fortuna
Good luck, smart move, you do need career advancement opportunities, and in Atkinson you will never get it. Plaistow will be lucky to have you.
well bill has been part time officer in Plaistow for about ten years now.
http://www.plaistow.com/Pages/PlaistowNH_Police/Deptlists
Well one good thing at least the town won't get sued by Billy anymore.
Wonder if he drove the Atkinson car to plaistow. For his part time job?
Mark,
You raise excellent points. But attacking people via the blog, often with inaccuracies and exagerations, is no better than what the bloggers accuse others of. But I guess they think the rules should only apply to those they accuse.
Hey, Acciard tells it like it is. Everybody getstoyt but you. The man has the guts to stand up to thugs and liars. You bud. You threaten people here. Your a guilty, self righteous, lying dude. Good thing there are other good guys like Acciard in town. Thats bad news for your kind, bud.
Baldwin will be back when Plaistow police take over police duty for Atkinson. That's how this will go down.
No, I suspect Baldwin will be back when you-know-who retires.
It is time to take action on the chief. Ask him to retire immediately or force retirement on him or just out right fire him. He has cost the town more than money in his past crazy antics. If he is out as chief and the position is available give it to Baldwin or seek a chief from the many capable outsiders who are available. Do you really think the Plaistow Police are going to take over the APD duties? I think not even if their selectmen are for it in principal. The Plaistow residents would be outraged no matter what the two towns agreed to pay for the police safety services to Atkinson. The hiring of Baldwin as a Lt. isn't any where near fair for those officers in the Plaistow P.D.who have been there for years awaiting a chance for promotion . If he is hired as Lt. it would cause many problems for the Plaistow P.D.personal. If he is so intent on leaving Atkinson then he should appear before the selectmen and give his true reasons for doing so. If in my thinkings are right about Baldwin doing so then the Con man has to no choice but to retire or be fired. When did you say the chiefs last appointment was? That alone is cause for the Con man to be brought before the BOS for the towns benifit to finally close all the past problems with the chief and the law suits,etc. JMHO.
To 5:19 from 6:51 & 11:04 - thanks for making my case so easy for me! Rail away in the blogisphere--you won't hit anything! Thank goodness! Blog bullies impress no one but themselves.
You are nasty. One of the thugs and liars in town going down. People are paying attention had enough and not putting up with your kind anymore. You can take your snide little cheap shots at real good people like Mr.Acciard. Go ahead. But the day comes when Baldwin gets the call to come over from Plaistow and haul you out in cuffs. Yelling and screaming on your way to the clink to meet up with your thug buddies.
Sir, I can only speak for myself, and my posts contain no inaccuracies or exaggerations. Everything I say, I can prove, and have.
And to be brutally honest, I would have had no problem with any Full time Lt. if the position had not been created illegally. We never had a full time Lt., it was simply put into existence by the selectmen without voter approval. They do not have the right to create a new position without going through the voters.
But they did, the same way they bought a New SUV for the PD 8 days after a town meeting that did not mention it to the voters.
Mark...
Before anyone tells me to get my facts straight, I'll admit right now I do not know the legal limits of the Selectmes' powers.
But you assert they had no right to create a full-time position, and complain they bought a new SUV 8 days after a meeting without voter affirmation.
If they're required by law to act on these only with explicit voter approval, then they should be criticized. But if they were legally empowered to act as they did, then I am fine with their actions.
Selectmen deserve the freedom to do the job they're elected to do, within legal limits.
So was creating the full-time job outside their authority? How about the SUV? Or is there more to the story?
Hmmm. Now you can go to Monday nite BOS meeting and ask your questions to who did it. Should be no problem recording it off my TV. I want a copy for my mom.
I don't know Baldwin personally, but from what I've seen and read I'm not sure this is the worst thing that could happen. Here's why:
1) $60,000/yr for a Lt. police officer in a pohunk town of 6,000 people? Why in the hell are we paying so much?
2) Remember Lt. Balwin's little "discrepency" with trying to get paid twice during some Coast Guard training in the U.S.? That seemed dishonest on his part, that pay seemed aimed at those that were deployed.
3) On the Board of Education he seemed a bit over his head; a little too much ego, not enough knowledge.
4) I saw him directing traffic for an electric crew once. He started screaming like a maniac at a car coming from the opposite direction at a car that was confused as to what to do; it was very unprofessional, especially for someone that's supposed to be an officer.
Balwin worked for years under Consentino; that means that he stood by while all the bullying was going on. Silence = approval. What was his price to stay silent and not blow the whistle on Phil's shenanigans? $60,000. I hope the price of my integrity is a little higher than that.
Bye Lt. Baldwin, good luck on the new job...
4:54 P.M. , While at the monday night BOS meeting some one should bring up why the selectmen haven't acted on removing the Con man from the police department as the towns chief. His past actions alone are enough to remove him by forcing retirement on him or by justly firing him. Baldwin can act as chief temporarily until a chief ,even him,can be put in place. Asking this question will put the selectmen on the spot because the meeting will be televised and made public in the papers.
So much for due process...
We could use a detective who spends less time chasing checks and understands the job better. I think the town needs a full timer who can put 100% into it. An elderly manager who can put 100% into it. it's the "part time" that concerns me because we need full time qualified protection. My opinion is this town has more crime than gets reported or followed up on. I hear a lot of stories about not following up and reports not accurate.
Full time beats part time every time.
My opinion
Then show up at the monday night BOS meeting. They don't have to know that you wrote here anonymously with your comments. If you go remember that they have to allow you to have your say . Show up early enough to converse with others to see what their opinions are about this whole thing. That is if you haven't already talked to others before the meeting. You might be surprised who shows up after the 31 comments so far on this site.
BOS might listen but do what to fix it? Maybe friel will but he looks more like PR than effective. I like the show but so what? It's about results and getting the job done. It will take 3 selectmen willing to do the job to clean up their mess in town. The BOS needs to follow the bouncing ball. Not look the other way or doodle.
Mo
The voters and residents are to be heard by the BOS. That is their job, to do the bidding of the towns residents ,especially those who put them in office. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD AND THEY HAVE TO DO THE WHAT THE MAJORITY ,NOT THE MINORITY, HAS ASKED OF THEM! GET IT. If not then wait for the next election to oust those who will not conform to the majority in town. Don't take that attitude of why try when the BOS is going to do what it wants anyway. Its time for a change of politics in town and it can be started in this issue on this site.
Actually, the BOS is NOT bound to act as the majority wishes... they can do whatever they want that is within their legal authority.
Certainly, if they act against the wishes of the majority of the electorate, they risk not being re-elected.
But, if 3,000 voters showed up at a meeting demanding that the BOS do X... but they instead wanted to do Y and Y is legal, they are totally within their rights to ignore the electorate and act as they wish.
History has many examples of where elected officials bucked popular opinion.
More people in town could wake up to their civic duty to pay attention to what their government is doing. A while ago now, the Jews in Germany didn't pay attention and failed to fight for their rights and freedoms. They paid a special price for their silence and failure to resist. The government had a "final "solution" worked out for who they didn't want as their residents.
There is a special price to pay for silence and acquiesce in the sleepy town of Atkinson. Corruption run rampant.
In Egypt and Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, the people were asleep for 60 years. Now they are willing to stop their lives and businesses and stand up against corrupt government, lying politicians, malfesience, nepotism, thuggery, illegal arrests, special favors for friends and families. Not to mention stand up for just Democracy and justice under just laws.
These citizens put their lives at risk and were willing to be shot and killed. That's what it took and they are heroes for standing up to the bullets. We will never forget their sacrifice.
Daily, more Atkinson citizens wake up and say, "I can't afford not to pay attention to what is going on on in my town anymore!" It may take another year or so before enough wake up and say... "I am not going to allow my government to do these things because it puts me, personally, in harms way."
There is a final solution to the wrongs in town.
The final solution is.... you put yourself.... AT RISK.... to stop it!
Either that or live repressed for decades more and stick your head in the sand and ignore whatever burden or injustice is inflicted on you or your family or your neighbor's land.
--Just my completely distorted opinion. No truth here. A pack of false lies and suppositions and opinions. I withdraw the above comments entire as they are a completely false representation of events that may have occured or workings of Atkinson town government...a completely false fabrication and opinion.
Paragraph #1 &2 I agree with . #'s 3&4 are the concerns of the worlds problems but not about Atkinson although there has been ridicule ,power plays by some,damage to personal property, defamation of character[s],conflict of interests, contrevercies to many mention, questionable ethics, etc. With all this I would pray that there is no more of this before some crazed person starts shooting because of what has been going on for years on end. #5 I agree with. #6 &7 I agree with and support this anonymous writer. The last of his/her blog is obviously a stupid set of remarks when you consider what has happened in town. It would appear the writer has spoken truths in his/her blog and then recants in the last of his/her writings. I has to be the Conman or one of those who he controls or owes him a favor for some reason. JMHO
3's
Don't want my car ruined or house burnt down here. Thanks but no thanks. I care about me and mine and I'm all set. Someone gets hurt in town I could care less. Just like those got shot criticizing their town over there. Trouble makers just asking for it. Get your facts straight!
Trouble makers or not no one deserves the retaliation and harmfulness of another for any reason. Because one speaks up with an opinion or takes action on some thing shouldn't make them targets of traffic stops ,damages to any home or m/v, and the untrue vicious rumors about them. You say you are all set and only care about you so you must have loads of money and do not care about how your taxes go up and the many law suits the few crazies in town is costing the taxpayer which you seem or appear to be. Have you no respect for those that are your neighbors and towns people? You appear to be a very selfish person living in your own self contained caged in world. Where are your christian moral and ethical values? If you are a Saturday or Sunday worshiper I'd have to say your the bigger of all the hypocrites in town going into any house of worship. Shame on you when you have no regard for others and your community. I guess the big bucks does change people after all.
1:15 should move out of town and go to any of the countries that are of his make up to live. What an a$$!!!
1:15 is spouting what the CON-MAN says everytime he wants to go after someone for not agreeing with him. Move out of town you SOB. Many have been driven out by the CON-MAN. Would like to know the total number.
Look's like he missed a few. Too bad!
Anybody know why there were a whole bunch of APD's finest at TH last night?
The significance of losing Lt. Baldwin can't be understated in terms of impact to the empire built in our PD. Its obviously a great move for Baldwin to get out of the worst managed PD in the state and get into a real PD department with the chance of moving up in the real world and leaving the Atkinson baggage behind.
The big CON lost a major player in the key to his kingdom. Baldwin was his only connection to the working families in Atkinson, many who liked Bill. Now they're mad at our incompetent chief who caused him to leave. He can try to blame the selectmen but I've yet to hear anyone say it was the BOS fault. We all know who caused Bill to leave. Plus Phil will have to do real work instead of politicking on a full time basis. That's funny.
Billy, good luck. Smart move getting out. You're sooooooo much better off it can't be measured. Pull handle, FLUSH!
just my entitled opinion
I can agree that Baldwin is making a good move. However, what about the members of the Plaistow police who have worked there and hard as I'm told. This move has cost them dearly in the promotion process. They should have gotten the opportunity to be promoted to a higher rank. I'm all for promoting from within before going out side to find another choice of filling a spot. I'm not against Baldwin trying to further himself but what about those within the Plaistow P.D. This seems to me as a slap in their faces and the Baldwin transfer could be thought as a form of politics payment to Baldwin. The dissension is going to be over whelming by the over looked police members of that department . What with the Baldwin move why didn't he tell the selectmen why he truly wanted the move ? If he did then ,just maybe, the selectmen would have made the choice of forced retirement or firing the chief for his many misdeeds. That would have given Baldwin the job of chief . There is no doubt that he can do the job and a hell of better than the Conman. JMHO
Why is there never any "H" in your JMHO?
Dah!! Look again. Must be your glasses that need to be changed. JMHO
I know the "H" is in the "JMHO," I just don't sense any "H"
But the BOS didn't want to promote Bill to Chief and I thinnk that's why he left. Probably sick of having to play the games here. The fact that the BOS keep Phil and let Bill leave tells me that this fiasco will go on and on and on.
You may be right ,however, it is to bad he never appeared to be in the public eye with the selectmen to explain why he wanted to leave. Unless ,of course, he knowingly took the orders of the chief knowing the wrongfulness that would implicate him in them. His explaining that in a court of law would be considered as self implication. A deal could be made if this be true and finally the Conman would be gone if the selectmen did their job before the courts could theirs. jmHo large H to be as it represents humble. Where is your humility?
I am not the one "constructing the house of cards..."
What is there a house of cards when truth is being told? Where do you get off trying to change the H in humility with any house,be it cards or the house --someone damaged on a man who has spoken the truth. At least he has guts which I know you have none. Try staying on the same page and not try to weasel your way from the content of the site. And again JMHO
Guts to be Anonymous on a blog? Give me a break! Truth according to you? Sorry, don't buy it!
You should buy it!!
4/27 @ 10:35, How come your not coming forward with your real name? Could it be your in the same boat as every one else staying anonymous? I almost forgot that your on the opposite side and wouldn't want us to know who you are and who you are trying to protect! [ The Conman ,if your not him as anonymous here] Could you be afraid of self incrimination if found out? Just asking these questions in hopes of shutting you up once and for all. Bye the way ,did you have a good Christian Easter? I did thats why I stayed off the site until now.
If you want someone to use their own name, use yours in your request. You don't want to be perceived as a hypocrit by not doing so and being up front as you insist other be.
I'm interested in learning about our detective. What does he detect each day for 40 hours a week. I think the selectman should review his reports to see what he does. If he had any reports to review that is. Atkinson has a detective. That's funny. Only in Atkinson. Lets just take my taxdollars and flush em down the toilet.
especially given the fact that when the logs are published they only show 1 to 1.5 dispatches per day for the entire dept.!
As Lt. Baldwin gone to Plaistow yet?
Isn't there going to be a going away party for Bill? I think there should be.
Only if the Con-man leaves with him.
Has Lt. Bldwin gone to Plaistow yet? Haven't heard the answer to that question yet. Wasn't it strange to publicize his new position when it hadn't been finalized with Plaistow? Something doesn't add up here.
There is a reason it doesn't add up! The Con man hasn't told people what to say on the issue.
Don't worry, he'll work his MAGIC to twist the issue his way. Just wait and see if I'm correct. He'll tell what the Selectmen, Lions Club, and the Elderly what to say...........no doubt.
I bet Bill left cause it sucked working there. Like it really sucked bad. Worse than any of us can imagine under a person who shouldve been fired 20 years ago.
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