EAST MILLINOCKET, Maine — Patrolman Cameron McDunnah is the town’s new police chief, a town leader said Wednesday.
The Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 on Monday to name the 34-year-old McDunnah to succeed Police Chief Garold “Twig” Cramp, who retired last month after nearly 30 years of service. Selectman Gary McLeod was absent, officials said.
Selectmen chose the best candidate available, Chairman Clint Linscott said.
“He’s an East Millinocket resident with an outstanding resume,” Linscott said. “He is an extremely hard worker with an excellent rapport with all age groups.”
McDunnah, who has seven years of experience, was out sick on Wednesday and declined to comment on his promotion. He is not expected back at work until early next week, Linscott said.
McDunnah needs to get a police executive or management certificate and plans to do so within the next few years. His performance will be evaluated in six months and he will go from earning $18 an hour to approximately $19.25 an hour with his promotion, Linscott said.
Cramp gave a letter of resignation to Clint Linscott, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, on June 20, saying he would be leaving to join a government agency charged with protecting federal buildings. Cramp said he chose to leave after agreeing more than a year ago to stay on for a year “to try to fill the gap during devastating budget cuts.”
“I feel that this is the best time for the town and the department for this transition to take place,” Cramp wrote. “Both of the town meetings are over and two new budgets are in place, with the hiring of a full-time officer taking place soon. I feel all of this will give my replacement a good start in leading the department.”
In June 2011, Cramp earned praise from East Millinocket and Medway residents and leaders when, as a 28-year veteran fully vested in his pension plan, Cramp “retired” on June 30 and returned to work July 1, 2011, as a police chief and reserve officer. This kept Cramp as chief for a year and saved East Millinocket about $30,000, which was money the town needed to save, given a crushing devaluation of the town’s paper mill.
Cramp was praised for his dedication and professionalism.
Several residents praised McDunnah and his work ethic in May 2011 when they fought a move by selectmen to cut his position.
On Monday, Medway officials signed a contract paying East Millinocket for police services, Linscott said.
7 years experience makes him qualified as Chief of Police? Are you kidding me? Cameron needs to give a speech of what he plans on doing for East Millinocket.
No he does’nt he has done a great job and will also succeed in his new position. He does not need to answer to people like you… 99% are happy with the choice..only a handful of you crybabies object!!!!! Never a good word from people like you!!!
it would be something like – “stopping crime and trying to stop the drugs.” and hopefully running idiots out of town. You volunteering to be first?
Unfortunately, East Millinocket was looking for a “YES” man instead of someone who will fight for what’s best for the department. They got what they were looking for. There were other people who were far more qualified that applied. I wonder if they even got an interview?
And just who was willing to fight for the department that applied? Cameron is well respected by the community and those in the judicial system. He maybe young but there are other communities that have hired younger people as chief and it worked for them it will work for us too.
Sounds to me like someone that didn’t get chosen. Maybe you weren’t what is best for the department. Let it go, move on, grow up.
Cameron is well respected by the town, and a great man. 7 years of service may seem like a very small amount, but it means nothing when you see the love he has for his job and the people in that town, and the integrity he performs his duties with. I couldn’t think of a better person for the job and hope that he is there for many years to come!
Brittney, Cameron is well respected, Agree. ….but one needs more experience to become a Chief of Police. Cameron has no experience, with Management, Leadership, Business, and Budget Skills. This is not about Cameron the person, this is Cameron the police officer.
Congratulations to the new chief. I have a new book that
I think could help not only the chief’s tenure but the improvement of the
police department as well. I urge everyone to take a look “Arrested
Development: A Veteran Police Chief Sounds Off About Protest, Racism,
Corruption and the Seven Steps Necessary to Improve Our Nation’s Police” and
visit my blog at http://improvingpolice.wordpress.com/
where I discuss these and other current police improvement issues. Good luck
and may you experience great policing in your city!
Excellent choice by the selectmen. Cameron is truly a great man and will grow well into the position. I hope he has a long time as the chief there.