FRYEBURG — Town officials are expected to conduct a thorough search for a new police chief to replace Phil Weymouth, who submitted his resignation earlier this week. 

In an email Wednesday, Town Manager Sharon Jackson said Weymouth was placed on paid administrative leave on April 17 and submitted his resignation on Monday. She would not provide further details Weymouth’s suspension and subsequent resignation, citing confidential personnel matters. 

Detective Sgt. Joshua Potvin was appointed acting police chief following Weymouth’s suspension. On Wednesday Jackson said the appointment was not a promotion and Potvin would fill the position until the town hires a full-time chief. The position will be open to all applicants, she said.

Jackson did not explain why Potvin, and not his superior, Lt. Michael McAllister, was appointed acting chief, but said McAllister was still employed by the department and would be returning from vacation this week.

Potvin, in response to the “many” requests he said the department received, on Wednesday issued a four-page media release featuring his professional bio and lists of certifications, awards and commendations.

An 18-year law enforcement veteran, Potvin joined the department as a reserve officer in 2013, after a stint in Afghanistan as a private security contractor for the U.S. State Department. He was promoted to Detective Sgt. in October 2013 and is the department’s lead criminal investigator.

In a statement attributed to Weymouth included in the release, the former chief said he recommended Potvin for the position.

“He has proven himself as a leader under my command and I am fully confident in his ability to effectively manage a police agency through modern and progressive techniques,” the attributed statement reads.

 In a telephone interview, Selectboard Chairman Thomas Klinepeter said Jackson individually informed selectmen of Weymouth’s suspension, but selectmen did not have an opportunity to discuss the issue before he submitted his resignation. 

Selectmen expect to address Weymouth’s resignation and next steps for the department at the May 8 board meeting, Klinepeter said. The board does not expect to discuss the issue at a special May 1 meeting held to approved the annual town meeting warrant, he noted.

He was surprised by Weymouth’s resignation, Klinepeter said, but noted that it was difficult to answer questions surrounding the former chief’s departure without violating confidentiality rules.

Klinepeter said he was unaware of any issues in the department that would have precipitated Weymouth’s suspension.

“Like any police department you always get your complaints, but no, there wasn’t any,” he said.

In late October 2012, Weymouth and two reserve officers were briefly suspended after The Bridgton News published a story about an anonymous letter received by the paper alleging that Fryeburg officers encouraged teenagers to drink confiscated beer. The letter included photos, one allegedly showing a woman dancing on a marked Fryeburg police vehicle with uniformed officers present.

A  Portland-based attorney hired by the town to investigate the matter concluded that officers had committed no wrongdoing and the three were placed back on active duty in early November.

Last year, the town debated a measure to disband the department and contract with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the measure in a ballot referendum last June.

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