David Trimmer, a 49-year-old commander within the Police Department will serve as the acting police chief when Clarence Birkhead steps down on April 2, said Hillsborough's town manager.
“I am honored to be chosen to lead the department through this transition period,” said Trimmer, who is currently commander of the Criminal Investigations Division. “Naturally, I am sorry to see Chief Birkhead go and I wish him the best in his campaign for sheriff. Working for him has been a tremendous learning experience for me.”
Trimmer said his main priority will be to continue providing citizens with the excellent service they have come to expect from their department, which has 32 employees and had a $2.4 million budget in Fiscal Year 2010.
Sgt. Scott Nicolaysen, an investigator with the department, will serve as acting commander of the Criminal Investigations Division during the transition.
“I’m very happy that Lt. Trimmer has agreed to serve as the acting chief of police,” Town Manager Eric Peterson said. “Lt. Trimmer is well respected by the officers and has a great deal of law enforcement experience. The town is extremely fortunate to have such an accomplished law enforcement professional who can step in on the first day and keep things running smoothly for the Police Department.”
Trimmer joined the Hillsborough Police Department in June 2006 as commander of the Criminal Investigations Division. He supervises the department’s investigators and narcotics officers and is the head firearms instructor for the department.
Trimmer started his law enforcement career in 1993 at Duke University Police, rising through the ranks there to lieutenant and serving in investigations and patrol.
Plans for selecting a new police chief are being developed. Replacing a department head position typically takes about six months. The process includes advertising the position, screening applicants, conducting interviews and performing background investigations.
Showing posts with label sheriff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sheriff. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Hillsborough police chief to resign
Head of the Hillsborough Police Department, Clarence Birkhead, will step down April 2 to focus on candidacy for sheriff of Orange County.
“I feel that I should devote all of my energies to my campaign. Under the circumstances, I feel it is best for the Town of Hillsborough and my campaign to step down," Birkhead stated in his resignation letter.
Birkhead has been Hillsborough’s police chief for almost five years.
Birkhead said: “During my tenure, the Police Department has markedly improved its service to our citizens. We have experienced successes in all areas of police service. I am confident that I leave the department in a strong position for continued success and excellent service under the leadership of my successor.”
Town Manager Eric Peterson hopes to name an interim chief by early next week.
“We are all thankful for the many improvements Chief Birkhead has made over the past five years to improve the quality of policing that’s been provided to Hillsborough’s citizens,” Peterson said.
The police department said that it would likely be six months before a new police chief is hired.
“I feel that I should devote all of my energies to my campaign. Under the circumstances, I feel it is best for the Town of Hillsborough and my campaign to step down," Birkhead stated in his resignation letter.
Birkhead has been Hillsborough’s police chief for almost five years.
Birkhead said: “During my tenure, the Police Department has markedly improved its service to our citizens. We have experienced successes in all areas of police service. I am confident that I leave the department in a strong position for continued success and excellent service under the leadership of my successor.”
Town Manager Eric Peterson hopes to name an interim chief by early next week.
“We are all thankful for the many improvements Chief Birkhead has made over the past five years to improve the quality of policing that’s been provided to Hillsborough’s citizens,” Peterson said.
The police department said that it would likely be six months before a new police chief is hired.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Town Address: Hillsborough 2010
Frances Dancy, a Hillsborough Town Board member, introduced “the man affectionately known as Mayor Tom,” at the State of the Town address at the Central Orange Senior Center Tuesday evening.
Tom Stevens is serving his third term as Mayor of Hillsborough. His speech Tuesday night reflected what accomplishments the town has made over the last year and the challenges that lie ahead.
Attendees at the event showed their support for Stevens and the vision that he has laid out for the town during his time in office. Stevens said his goals for the town directly reflect citizen feedback.
“I would like to see the town stay small and continue to go green and keep its unique historical character,” said Mary McCarthy, a retired Hillsborough resident.
Stevens said his top level objectives for this year are to improve the town’s services, increase citizen involvement, preserve natural resources, reduce crime, expand recreation and enhance community sustainability.
These goals are influenced by the results of an annual citizen survey that was implemented three years ago.
This year’s results show that the majority of those surveyed feel safe in Hillsborough and believe that the town government is spending their tax dollars wisely.
Clarence Birkhead, Hillsborough chief of police, said, “I read every single one of those comments.”
Birkhead, who recently announced his candidacy for Sheriff, is proud of the double-digit decreases in crime that the town has seen over the last two years.
The survey also echoes some of the challenges facing the town, like the traffic problems on Churton St. and the lack of parking.
Possibly the biggest issue facing the town this year, however, is the 13 percent decrease in revenue for the General Fund and the 22 percent decrease in the Water Fund.
Stevens said that it will be a struggle to try to provide the same quality of services while making budget cuts.
“We’re nervous about the budget,” said Stevens. “I would like to give our hard-working employees the raises they deserve, but I also definitely do not want to raise taxes.”
This challenge adds on to the 18 percent decrease that the General Funds faced last year.
Stevens said he is confident that this year’s projects, such as the completion of Gold Park, are “do-able” with the help of grants.
While Hillsborough may have strong community watch groups and many active volunteers, Stevens’ goal of increased citizen involvement faces many hurdles.
Dancy said, “It is definitely a challenge to get young people involved in local government.”
“There is a big difference in the way we communicate,” said Stevens. “I am just learning how to Tweet after all!”
The audience for the address consisted mostly of town employees and volunteers.
“I wish more people would come to events like this so that they could learn about more ways to get involved,” said McCarthy.
Dancy said: “I feel like the biggest reason more people aren’t involved is time. It is certainly a time commitment when you are part of a board. I know how hard it is to have to worry about going to a meeting when you have dinner to cook. I haven’t even eaten dinner yet!”
Well past 8 p.m., Dancy said she is one of many committed residents of the town and that she is happy to put in the effort if it makes a difference in her community.
Dancy just has one rule, “No politics after Friday!”
Stevens concluded the speech with the sentiment that got him elected, “I am proud that Hillsborough acts as a showcase of what is right about small town America.”
Tom Stevens is serving his third term as Mayor of Hillsborough. His speech Tuesday night reflected what accomplishments the town has made over the last year and the challenges that lie ahead.
Attendees at the event showed their support for Stevens and the vision that he has laid out for the town during his time in office. Stevens said his goals for the town directly reflect citizen feedback.
“I would like to see the town stay small and continue to go green and keep its unique historical character,” said Mary McCarthy, a retired Hillsborough resident.
Stevens said his top level objectives for this year are to improve the town’s services, increase citizen involvement, preserve natural resources, reduce crime, expand recreation and enhance community sustainability.
These goals are influenced by the results of an annual citizen survey that was implemented three years ago.
This year’s results show that the majority of those surveyed feel safe in Hillsborough and believe that the town government is spending their tax dollars wisely.
Clarence Birkhead, Hillsborough chief of police, said, “I read every single one of those comments.”
Birkhead, who recently announced his candidacy for Sheriff, is proud of the double-digit decreases in crime that the town has seen over the last two years.
The survey also echoes some of the challenges facing the town, like the traffic problems on Churton St. and the lack of parking.
Possibly the biggest issue facing the town this year, however, is the 13 percent decrease in revenue for the General Fund and the 22 percent decrease in the Water Fund.
Stevens said that it will be a struggle to try to provide the same quality of services while making budget cuts.
“We’re nervous about the budget,” said Stevens. “I would like to give our hard-working employees the raises they deserve, but I also definitely do not want to raise taxes.”
This challenge adds on to the 18 percent decrease that the General Funds faced last year.
Stevens said he is confident that this year’s projects, such as the completion of Gold Park, are “do-able” with the help of grants.
While Hillsborough may have strong community watch groups and many active volunteers, Stevens’ goal of increased citizen involvement faces many hurdles.
Dancy said, “It is definitely a challenge to get young people involved in local government.”
“There is a big difference in the way we communicate,” said Stevens. “I am just learning how to Tweet after all!”
The audience for the address consisted mostly of town employees and volunteers.
“I wish more people would come to events like this so that they could learn about more ways to get involved,” said McCarthy.
Dancy said: “I feel like the biggest reason more people aren’t involved is time. It is certainly a time commitment when you are part of a board. I know how hard it is to have to worry about going to a meeting when you have dinner to cook. I haven’t even eaten dinner yet!”
Well past 8 p.m., Dancy said she is one of many committed residents of the town and that she is happy to put in the effort if it makes a difference in her community.
Dancy just has one rule, “No politics after Friday!”
Stevens concluded the speech with the sentiment that got him elected, “I am proud that Hillsborough acts as a showcase of what is right about small town America.”
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