Harrington declines; Village can choose from two candidates or their own recommendation

FRANKFORT, June 16, 2010 -- Officials at the Herkimer County Personnel Office said Wednesday that John Harrington, one of six candidates originally considered the police chief position in the village of Frankfort, declined the offer.

"He did send it back," said a clerk who answered the phone at the Personnel Office. "He’s not interested because of salary. We received the answer yesterday in the mail."

That said, there are just two eligible candidates from the original six, who could be chosen if the Village of Frankfort needs to replace its police chief, Steven Conley, any time soon.

Scott Beach of Herkimer and James Goldsmith of Utica both said they'd like to be the village's new police chief and both were deemed eligible by the village. Both scored a 74 on the 2007 Civil Service test for Police chief A. The next test isn't scheduled, officials said, but will be held in 2011.

Steve Billings of Herkimer County Personnel office said this week that if less than three candidates express interest, the village can either choose one of them or choose their own candidate for chief or provisional chief -- if the position opens up.

"(Conley) is still police chief," said Village Clerk Karlee Tamburrow. "We have a board meeting (Thursday) and the trustees will be notified by then. We also have a special meeting scheduled for June 24 with Steve Billings. Then we will discuss any other options."

Any rumors of Conley retiring, resigning or being terminated from his position are unfounded, she said. The village has repeatedly used the term, "proactive" to describe their call to Personnel to canvass candidates for police chief.

Billings said Monday the only requirement the village needs to look for if they approach their own provisional chief candidate is four years experience as a full-time police officer. Additionally, according to records online through the Personnel Office, required knowledge, skills and abilities include:

"Thorough knowledge of police administration and of police methods; good knowledge of scientific methods of crime detection; thorough knowledge and control of laws and ordinances; demonstrated ability to lead and direct the activities of subordinates; ability to interpret the work of the Police Department and to maintain cooperative relations with municipal officials and with the general public; high social intelligence; resourcefulness; sound judgment in emergencies; integrity; tact; neatness of appearance; good physical condition."

  VIEW TO THE RIGHT: REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT POLICE CHIEF A POSITION, AS WRITTEN BY HERKIMER COUNTY PERSONNEL OFFICE >>> 

Conley has been under scrutiny in recent years following a trail of accusations about him being violent and threatening in demeanor.

• June, 2008: After Harold Griffin's wife, Michelle, lost an election for village trustee, a melee ensued and Griffin said he was assaulted by Conley.
• May 2009: Griffin said he was at Stewart's Shop in the village when Conley came in and arrested him again. He said he was treated unfairly because of their past history.
• December 2009: Herkimer County Coroner Daniel Enea's attorney, Mark Wolber, said Enea was threatened by Conley during the course of an investigation into a then-suspicious death.
• February 2010: Village Officer Samuel Ameduri II alleged Conley choked and threatened him to change his testimony in Griffin's case.

ALSO SEE:

County says village asked for chief canvass

Why did the Village of Frankfort ask for those six names?

One more 'yes' could determine who gets the job -- if there is a job