I have been a law enforcement officer for more than three decades. I have been a supervising/ranking officer for at least twenty years. I had applied to two previous Chief positions, and both times made it to the finalist stage. My application to Southborough met with the same result as Applicant’s. Not even a reference check, telephone call or interview. This is a first for me.

I thought at first that there must have been a lot of more qualified people looking for this job and that I was simply underqualified. That is an easy thing to take and understand. Then I was told about Mr. Rooney’s resignation and I read a copy of his letter. I re-read his letter with horror and confusion. Then I saw who the eight finalists were. Without boasting at all, anyone with any law enforcement experience will tell you that my background and accomplishments far exceed any of the so-called finalists.

I discussed this matter with many police chiefs, lawyers and police commissioners in the area and gave them copies of Rooney’s letter. You see, I am part of a very small community of law enforcment personnel and we meet and talk about similar interests frequently. They were shocked and amazed that a town could allow such a thing to happen. To a person, no one has ever seen the type of process that took place in Southborough. No one. Ever.

Applicant, one positive thing that came out of this is knowing that our qualifications were not reviewed by anyone who knew anything about hiring a police chief. Therefore, not advancing to the next stage had nothing to do with us or our backgrounds.

It is clear that there is no way the Selectmen can defend the actions of the committee. If they do, I would be once again amazed (which from this town, may be possible.) Once Mr. Rooney resigned and the Selectmen knew that Mr. Unsworth was not participating, they should have taken action immediately. From what I’ve read, how could they rely on the chair of the committee when red flags were popping up all over the place?

For the Selectmen to support the committee’s action, they will have to say that Rooney’s concern about Mr. Unsworth’s role was not important. They will have to say that the committee alone was able to review resumes and conduct interviews better than or with more experience than Mr. Unsworth. If the residents of your town can swallow that pill and accept that explanation, then I have been sorely mistaken in my esteem for your town.

Finally, Minimom if the people in your town do not know about this issue or just do not care, what does that say about your town?