Police Chief Todd Muilenberg has resigned from his position with the Rindge Police Department, citing a lack of support from the select board and other “important town committees.”
In his resignation letter to the town, Muilenberg said he had originally intended to finish his law enforcement career in Rindge after 10 years of service, but it became apparent to him that his “leadership style, values, and vision” for the department and town were not being supported.
“I hope the next Chief of Police is more successful in gaining the support and cooperation of our elected officials,” wrote Muilenberg. “This is critical to ensure the police department can recruit and retain quality employees and deliver safe, effective, and professional policing services for the citizens of Rindge. Our officers and citizens deserve nothing less.”
Muilenberg declined to comment further on his resignation. In his letter, Muilenberg said resigning was not a decision he reached easily.
“I truly hope the citizens of Rindge, and its elected officials, can find a way to unite for the purpose of establishing mutual respect, trust, and understanding,” wrote Muilenberg. “Only then will a realistic shared vision for the town’s long term sustainability be found.”
Muilenberg said in his letter that he intends to serve out the third year of the contract he signed when he became the town’s police chief in 2014, staying aboard until Sept. 22.
After leaving Rindge, Muilenberg will transition to the Jaffrey Police Department, where he will become a lieutenant, according to Jaffrey Police Chief Bill Oswalt. Muilenberg is replacing Lt. Terry Choate, who left the position in March, but has stayed on with the department part-time while they searched for his replacement.
“If you could see his resume…rarely do you see such qualifications and levels of expertise,” said Oswalt, in an interview Tuesday. “It’s extremely impressive. There’s a lot he can teach [the department.]”
Prior to coming to Rindge, Muilenberg was a 24-year veteran of the Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona. Muilenberg had been serving as a lieutenant and watch commander of the department’s Uniformed Services Bureau, and had received numerous awards during his tenure.
Selectwoman Roberta Oeser said in an interview Tuesday afternoon that she knew of Muilenberg’s frustrations relative to lack of support in town, adding that the board was split it in its feelings about Muilenberg’s departure.
“[Muilenberg] was the best thing to happen to our police department,” said Oeser. “I thought he was doing a great job, but apparently, I was in the minority.”
Select board chair Jim Qualey would not provide comment to the Ledger-Transcript, saying anything would say publicly about the matter will be said during board meetings. Selectman Robert Hamilton did not return a voicemail left Tuesday afternoon.
One of the most recent and public moments of contention came last year, when Muilenberg approached the selectmen, asking for the board to accept a $125,000 grant to subsidize the salary of an eighth officer for three years, a position Muilenberg said the department desperately needed.
After holding a public hearing in October, the board unanimously supported the hiring of an eighth officer, but came down divided on the grant’s acceptance.
Qualey and Hamilton cited RSA 31:95-B in their hesitancy to accept the grant, instead wanting to bring the grant’s acceptance to the voters at Town Meeting. Oeser differed in her opinion, saying the town should have accepted the grant when it was brought forward by Muilenberg.
The board also disagreed on including funds for the eighth officer’s salary in the default budget, and removed said funds in a 2-1 vote prior to Town Meeting.
The grant and the proposed budget were both approved in March.
In his new position with Jaffrey, Muilenberg will be making $81,000 annually, plus benefits, according to Jaffrey Town Manager Jon Frederick. In Rindge, Muilenberg was making $70,000 annually with benefits.
A press release issued by Town Administrator Joe Byk said selectmen will be taking steps in the next few weeks to fill Muilenberg’s position.
Muilenberg’s letter also says that if the board is agreeable, he is willing to vacate his position sooner than Sept. 22, provided he is paid a cash value of his 160 hours of earned vacation time.
Muilenberg has recommended in his letter that Sergeant Dan Anair be promoted to the rank of police chief without any external processes. Anair was sworn in as a sergeant in Rindge in 2013 and has 15 years of service, according to the town’s website.
“He has my respect and he has earned this opportunity,” wrote Muilenberg. “Dan’s tenure, institutional knowledge, community contacts, policing abilities, and leadership skills make him the obvious choice.”
Muilenberg said promoting Anair could offer opportunities for other promotions within the department and could offer professional growth and retention of quality employees for the department.