The New Ipswich Police Department expects to contract with a consultant to overhaul the department’s policies and procedures to update them and bring them in line with state policies.

“The policies at the Police Department are at least 10 years old, and have lost their relevancy,” said Town Administrator Debbie Deaton.

Police Chief Michael Abel appeared before the Select Board Tuesday to discuss hiring a consulting firm that specializes in revising and updating current standardized forms and policies and procedures.

Abel has received a quote from AMDG Consulting, owned by Creig Doyle, who has previous experience in law enforcement, including as a chief of police, and public safety. The cost of the procedures review and update would be $1,750.

The cost for the work could be accommodated within the current Police Department budget, Abel said.

Abel said he has updated some of the procedures himself over the past years, but the vast majority have not been looked at in years. Abel told the board to do the work himself, it would take about 200 man-hours, and would have to be done in stages over several years. AMDG has done similar procedure updates for other towns in New Hampshire, and would be able to complete the work in a much shorter time.

The board did not take an official vote on the matter, according to Deaton, but did express unanimous support for Abel moving forward with hiring the consultant and starting the work.

In other Select Board news, the board met with Gary Somero to discuss the position of building inspector on Tuesday.

The town’s former building inspector, Jim Feldhusen, has resigned and his final day was April 14. Somero, who also serves as the town’s deputy fire chief, has agreed to fill the position on an interim basis.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.

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