The Associated Press
WILTON, N.H. - Police Chief Robert Maguire has resigned, as a group of residents, led by a police officer from neighboring Nashua, pressed selectmen to review the department.
Maguire has been on administrative leave since being accused in March of abusing a female officer he had lived with.
Ten residents attended the Selectmen’s meeting Monday night to present a petition. At that meeting, Selectman Jerry Greene announced that Maguire had resigned on Saturday.
Chris Aucoin, acting as spokesman for the group, said they had collected about 200 signatures asking selectmen to form a committee to find a “suitable candidate” for chief, and hire a professional consulting firm to audit and review the police departments policies, procedures and practices.
The two selectmen present, Greene and Robert MacFarland, accepted the petition, though Greene said selectmen cannot authorize spending money, only residents can do that at Town Meeting.
Aucoin, a police officer in Nashua, asked about the selectmens plan to take care of problems in the police department.
Greene said an investigation is underway by the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Department and the Attorney Generals Office is involved in any criminal investigation concerning Maguire. He said he did not know when the investigations would be completed, nor what reports would be issued by the investigators.
“No charges have been filed against Maguire,” he said, adding that Deputy Chief James Greene had retired.
Aucoin told selectmen most town residents have lost faith in the department. “People overwhelmingly said they had a lack of trust. They were shocked by all of this.”
Greene said selectmen also were shocked.
“No one has come forward and told us the Police Department has problems,” he said. “People are always welcome to come in, our meetings are always open.”