From the Eagle Tribune;
August 16, 2011
Atkinson police chief back on the job
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Police Chief Philip Consentino is back on the job.
Selectmen officially reinstated the chief yesterday, Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said. Consentino had been out on medical leave since June 14.
"He is under some restrictions by his doctor, but he is back for light duty," Bennett said. "He is still recovering from open heart surgery."
Consentino said he worked a half day yesterday, mainly doing desk work from his office.
"I'm finally back at work," he said. "They gave me a letter stating I could come back to work as long as I follow my doctor's instructions. The main thing is not to lift anything heavy. I know exactly how much I can lift before it hurts across my chest."
Consentino, 70, had tried to do some police paperwork from home when he first came back from the hospital. But selectmen sent him a letter last month, telling him to stop all police work until he was fit to return to duty or else he would be fired.
"They were trying to make sure that everything was in order," Consentino said. "They were so afraid of being sued if I came back and something happened to me they made a mountain out of a molehill."
Now that the chief is back, he can address the department's shrinking staff. Officer Justin Paquette left the department last week and another officer may leave on Sept. 1. That follows Lt. William Baldwin's departure for Plaistow in May. Now, the department is understaffed, with just three full-time officers.
"Consentino will be able to hire replacement officers soon," Bennett said. "He can replace Paquette as a patrol officer now. We know we need that."
The chief had been restricted from hiring any new officers until an independent study of the police department by Municipal Resources Inc. is finished. The study stalled while Consentino was out, but he said he will be meeting tomorrow with a representative from MRI.
"I'm the last of his puzzle to put together, so by Wednesday, he should have it done," Consentino said.
But the chief isn't waiting for the results of the study to advertise for new officers.
"Putting the ads in doesn't mean we're hiring anyone," he said. "We're accepting applications so when MRI does give the selectmen recommendations, which I hope will be to replace two officers, we will have applications in and we can act immediately. Time is of the essence."
Consentino said the hiring process could take anywhere from two week to two months, depending on who applies. The department is specifically looking for experienced officers who don't need much training; the salary will be based on experience.
"A lot of times you can get somebody that has 10 or 15 years in the system and they're looking for something that's fairly quiet," Consentino said. "It would be a perfect job for them."
Unfortunately, he said, the two officers who left did not feel that way.
"Those two officers haven't had a raise in three or four years and have not been able to negotiate a contract with selectmen," Consentino said. "They felt they wanted to go someplace where they had a chance of advancement and more money. The third could be leaving soon because he's taking on a job that could pay him roughly 10 to 15 percent more than he's making here."
Consentino said Detective Philip Farrar did a great job running the department in his absence, putting off his planned retirement to help out the department.
"I'm just glad he's back," Farrar said of Consentino. "My retirement will be in the works now that he's back. Hopefully, everything will be back to normal."
Town Manager Philip Smith did not return requests for comment.
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60 comments:
Nice to see the Chief is feeling better. Welcome back.
What a nightmare.
Chief I'm glad your back, I think we should have a welcome back rally at the Community Center. Hot Dogs and hamburgers,,,soda and adult beverages and maybe a dunk tank. First hour friel (while the water is chilly we can watch him shrirvel up like the snake he is) next hr bennett (he's sure to get dunked a bunch from all those little leaguers that have been practicing all year) Fred gets a pass but Uncle Phil Smith doesn't, unless he brings protection from the Angels.
Let's pick a date!!!!!
Oh, another dunk tank threat? Didn't you already try that one on one of our good female neighbors?
From today's newspaper:
"LAWRENCE — The names and addresses of thousands of city residents whose names are on petitions to recall Mayor William Lantigua were posted on websites endorsing the mayor — a move a recall organizer said is an act of "intimidation."
Posting residents names and addresses for the purpose of berating them and threatening them is worse than what is going on in Lawrence, except THEY can recall the guy. What recourse do we have?
I want to know why we don't DESERVE a competent, trained and educated Police Chief who can pass a physical for the job? WE DESERVE THE BEST WE CAN AFFORD.
Moreover, calling people at home to ask them why they signed "this sh&t" referring to citizen petition warrant articles, far exceeds the intimidation that is happening in Lawrence and is tolerated and ignored in Atkinshame.
Atkinson is worse than Lawrence when it comes to corruption.
coruption start with the bos
Don't let him hire anyone! Great time to privatize the police force in Atkinson to slash costs and get rid of that nut Philbert Consentino once and for all. Tell me what private business would hire an untrained, unfit, 70 year old to run a police department?
He can't hire anyone until the report is in.
It had better be good.
If Phil Consentino is still the chief after the MRI report, then I will begin to believe all of the bloggers who say that this is corruption.
What else could it be.
may be mri should look at bos for coruption and leave the pd alone it seem to be running fine untill bos stuck there nose were it did not belong
MRI was hired to study the poor mgmt of the PD. Evidenced by this assignment, the BOS know what they are doing.
Anonymous said...
this blog is really a joke, good luck getting around town now...you know who you are...hahaha paranoid? why? dont forget you have the right to remain silent!!!! hello???
And the threats continue. MRI will have the last say. What are you going to do, arrest everyone?
"crooks and druggies are throwing parties this weekend."
They know they can go back to the old ways now.
the chief is back and your gonna be in trouble hey now hey now the chief is back
gonna have a big drug party rthis week, you all are invited even if you have a badge and a seeing eye dog, cant wait, the king consintino has spoken, we can all go back to normal now...what a joke this blog is and everyone the "seriously" comments on it....
ferris
got to run im late for class....buelher...buelher?
Glad to know that Chief Consentino back is on the job. He's a good guy and a dedicated public servant. Hope he's back to full health quickly. The town does need some fresh blood but it is needed at the Selectman level. Those people need to stop meddling and micro-managing every aspect of the town and to allow and trust those people chosen as department heads to do the jobs they were hired to do. Just a bunch of power-mad fools run amok. They are the reason good officers are leaving for greener pastures in other towns. Sad for the town. The Chief deserves bonus combat pay for having to deal with them on a regular basis
Ok BOS, have you had enough of the threats and trash talk? We have. Get rid of this person and appoint someone qualified that has some dignity. Don't forget, we can get any warrant article to the ballot that we want.
See you in March.
"Caint wait gotta see videos of spittin snot on Artus an old ladies cry in and moron select men red faces. Get in get revenge ,,make em move. Put duct tape on Artus big mouth but drag to Poland Springs. Fix our town real real good. Do it up do it up real good. caint wait"
Written like a true illiterate.
Atkinson, a pathetic small town. Run by bullies. Corrupt as Seabrook.
Hahahahahahahahaha
We like it like that
We rule
You pay
The FBI was in Seabrook yesterday. Any connection?
Ever wonder how hard the Chief had to lean on the doctor to "allow" him to return to work?
What are these people related to the ones arrested for road rage? Wasn't one also on Meditation?
He doesn't look ready yet.
They both own used car lots next to each other in Plaistow. Must know each other.
If this is one who was already arrested, he could be in more trouble.
yeah they might put him under the jail
wouldn't it also be road rage for them to be harassing at night from their car?
does the selectmen know this is going on?
BREAKING NEWS!!!! the chief has spoken, he is back to work, we have done it, all hail the chief, thanks for everything chief, cant wait to see atkinson get back to its old self again, we all missed ya.
get to work, stop blogging.
see you in march will be great to get rid if bill b and maybe another vacancy
We need new blood in all these offices.
I checked out the street lights and see that there's also a telephone pole there too.
I'm puzzled that some residents are getting turned down for lights yet there is one in the bosses yard.
I keep hearing that Seabrook has some problems. Is there a site where I can read about issues?
Welcome back Chief.
Now that you are back, are you going to do some police work or just play social worker?
Chief you're a remarkable man. Good luck getting through this ordeal. The blog likes to kick those when they are down. Makes them feel big! They can't stand it when we get back up. Reminds them how small the are. Good for you!
Yes, good luck getting thru this ordeal, you will need it.
HEY BLOGGERS NEWS FLASH!! BYE BYE MR SMITH IT WAS NICE WORKING WITH YOU. I'M GLAD THE FOLKS FROM NEW MEXICO DIDNT DO MUCH OF A BACKGROUND CHECK MAYBE DET DECKER CONDUCTED IT.
DOES THIS MEAN BARBARA WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER RAISE?
DOES THE NATIONWIDE SEARCH BEGIN NOW OR IS THERE A HIRING FREEZE AT CLOWN HALL?
JUST WONDERING!!!!
Confirmed Phil Smith is leaving. To bad he would of been a great full time chief. Heard he's writing a book about Atkinson.
hey bloggers, news flash this blog is a complete joke, between the 6 or 8 of you that actually use this blog there is about 20 to 30 that are going to make a mockery of it, please be prepared, its going to be a fun ride, atkinson reporter 3 here YOU come
The incompetent are feeling bold. Yet they have to deal with the MRI report and MRI is interviewing everyone. People you wouldn't imagine. MRA will suggest a full time police chief and professional full time police department. That's a fact. They will not issue a fade report as their reputation is "on the line" state-wide.
I look forward to reading the MRI report and holding the Town accountable for following their recomendations. It is the responsibility of the BOS to follow the MRI report andraise a low performing department to a professional department.
It starts with hiring well educated, experienced officers who will enforce the law. Atkinson can reorm. It is ridiculous to hire new and well educated officers to be led by a thug ignorant of state law. Atkinson no longer has to imitate Seabrook with it's corrupt police department. Atkinson has the chance to clean up it's reputation and take the shame out of Atkinshame.
The BOS knows what they have to do. Uphold their oath of office and implement the recommendations of MRI.
people are stange when your a strange places look better >>>>>>>
stranger
40 elder blogin gainst blogers.
Fun tellin em whats whats
Mr Smith gone gone gone, who's next BOS?
What about what the voters want. The reason this blog exist is because the people who run it have not voice in public, they have all ran for town positions and have either never been elected or have been pushed out(you know who you are).
BOS, need to listen to the voters not the bloggers!
Bloggers should do their own reporting instead of sitting around in their pajamas....haha jokes on you #atkrept2
Arrested (by Haverhill, not APD) yesterday were Mark St. Onge, 46, who is listed as homeless, and Anthony Edward Prisco, 49, 49 Westside Drive, Atkinson, N.H. Both men are charged with assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery with substantial injury.
Lots of thugs here.
Yes, BOS. Go ahead and listen to the illiterate and uneducated who are trying to 'splain the world to you.
How far do you think it will get you?
As far as Phil Smith is concerned, it's our loss. Like or not, he is professional, educated, working on a Phd and a book. He knows how to run a PD, unlike our town.
He is leaving us worse off but he is better off for it.
"40 elder blogin gainst blogers.
Fun tellin em whats whats"
See what I mean? Would you take advice from this person?
Bloggers are often mistaken by most as loners, nerds, geeks and every possible synonym there is for a person who has no social life.
Bloggers are often mistaken by most as loners, nerds, geeks and every possible synonym there is for a person who has no social life.
I love cats – they taste just like chicken.
mri report wont show the pd is running all right because it is written by phil smiths buddies
MRI not as big of a fan to smith as you may think.
You evidently have no life, social or otherwise if you can sit here and blog to yourself all day.
Breaking news:
loners, nerds, geeks are not synonyms for having no social life.
(do you know what a synonym is?)
Do you know that sitting around in a 2 mile radius of you home and work for 30 years would constitute having no life, social or otherwise?
Many who blog here are patriotic, honest, taxpaying Americans much to be admired. Unlike the majority of voters who just "go along " with town mismanagement, these individuals speak out.
It causes thugs and bullies enormous concern as it is a threat to their mafia style domination.
My prediction is the blog will continue to flourish as it is needed. If you truly want to get rid of the people who post then change. Hire professions instead of uneducated amateurs, stop spending money like drunken sailors; lower our taxes. Obey the laws of the state...the Right To Know law (No, you don't), RSA Laws at town Deliberative Session, State Law when it comes to the Police Department, equal enforcement of the laws, reduction of corruption generally in Atkinson.
People with the courage to stand up and speak out for justice cannot be silenced even by tanks, bullets, snipers, bombers, arrests, murder. Look at Egypt and Syria et al. People naturally are willing to sacrifice themselves to end corruption and achieve justice the world over.
These are the brave ones and they will fight you forever. You two- bit threats mean nothing to a hard core Patriotic American. We understand what you are and we stand up to you with courage and honor year after year.
Go ahead. Issue threats to citizens. It works in OUR favor. Every time you do it new people realize something is terribly wrong and they must join the ATKINSON REBELLION. We will defend ourselves effectively and go after you until you stop bullying and threatening people and do your sworn duties. Follow your oaths of office.
ATKINSON REBELLION? ZZZzzzz! Yawn!
Have you not noticed all the lawsuits and trouble centered around a couple of Atkinson Officials, current and former?
Ah, I thought so. It's all out there so why come here and waste our time with your foolish comments?
Get some sleep.
Chief.... RETIRE!! Atkinson needs a real Police Chief. You are a joke!
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