WESTPORT - Police Chief Keith Pelletier took over a department in October 2002, that had just weathered a period of turmoil, ending with the firing of Police Chief Michael Healy.

Last week, he took some time to look back and reflect on his first year.

"Morale has definitely improved," he said. "I think I provide an environment where good officers can flourish. The officers have done everything they can to make this a better place to work. I don't see a separation anymore. We're one police department."

Police Chief Keith Pelletier

Chief Pelletier described his management style as community policing and said he strives to avoid top-down management.

"It's an inverted pyramid where you get ideas from all over the department," he said. "It's easy to bark out an order. It takes more time to talk with everyone."

The chief said he relies on his officers because they are the ones who see what's happening while out on patrol.

In the end, though, he said, "The ultimate decision is always mine ... My management style is to say yes when I can say yes but when I say no, I say no with conviction."

Chief Pelletier was hired with a 3-2 vote of the board of selectmen after two final candidates were interviewed, himself and Deputy Chief John Gifford.

He took over a department that was known for its friction, with two split camps either supportive of or at loggerheads with Chief Healy.

Chief Pelletier declined to comment on his predecessor. He said he wants to keep the past in the past and keep the focus on moving forward.

Among the changes he pointed to is the renovation of the interior of the police department. The inside walls have gotten a fresh coat of paint and an interview room has been converted to an office for the department's officers.

One major source of conflict with the union has been resolved. The problems with the faulty police radios have been fixed and a new antenna is in the process of going up on Route 177.

Also, by using a grant, the department was able to purchase a portable radio for each officer to keep at home. That way, in an emergency, they can all communicate with each other. The department has also purchased digital cameras for use at crime scenes and accidents. Much of this has been done at no extra cost, by using either grants, donations or money from the federal forfeiture program.

Among the other accomplishments of the year, Chief Pelletier mentioned the hiring of a second officer in the schools, who also serves as the computer specialist. He said that an anti-bullying program has been instituted in the school system.

At no extra cost to the town, the department has acquired a bloodhound for use in helping find Alzheimer's patients or lost children.

All the officers in the department were trained in the active shooter program this past year to prepare them for dealing with a crisis, such as a sniper situation.

The chief has been active in the Route 6 task force, which has convinced the state to make changes to the most dangerous intersections on this state highway.

In the past, the department has suffered from absences as officers used sick time or family leave. Now, even though the department has lost four officers to early retirement, shifts are still being covered. Chief Pelletier said the staff is no longer using sick time "frivolously" and is cooperating in planning vacation time.

"It's not uncommon to see an officer come in with a box of tissues now," Chief Pelletier said.

One of the selectmen who voted to pick the other candidate for the top job only had complimentary things to say about Chief Pelletier.

"The man's doing an excellent job," Selectman Russell Hart said. Mr. Hart, who was a vocal opponent of Mr. Healy and voted to fire him, said of Chief Pelletier, "He's promoting his department and his men and not himself. He's like a breath of fresh air in that department."

He added, "He's managing very well. He keeps himself low key and gets the job done. The men all respect him. I talked to people who didn't particularly approve of his appointment and they all respect him."

Chairman Steve Ouellette, who did vote for Chief Pelletier, said, "The communication has been great and I've been satisfied with his performance. I feel comfortable with him and we've just had a good working relationship. When we've needed him, he's been there. He hasn't been afraid to give his opinion and it's been invaluable, believe me."

Two of the police officers who were often at odds with Chief Healy only had words of praise for his replacement. (See lengthier quotes in accompanying sidebar.) Sgt. Jeff Majewsky, who is the president of the Westport police officers' union, said, "It's no longer the administration against the union. I think we've put our past behind us and we're moving forward."

Lt. Paul Holden, who contradicted Chief Healy's recollections of an event during the chief's disciplinary hearing, also praised Chief Pelletier.

"He's the chief that we need," Lt. Holden said. "The first two things he thinks about are the department and the community. The word 'I' is not in his vocabulary."

Former chief weighs in

Eileen Sheehan, who has leveled harsh criticism of the previous board of selectmen for firing Mr. Healy, said of Mr. Pelletier, "I think he has very big shoes to fill."

Ms. Sheehan questioned why Lt. Holden was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant without having to take an examination as part of an open promotion process. She said other sergeants in the department are better qualified to be the #3 officer. Ms. Sheehan called Lt. Holden's promotion a "sweetheart deal" for someone who was active in the efforts to remove Mr. Healy.

Another of Mr. Healy's supporters did not want to comment by name, but he said the former police chief cleaned up a department that had a lot of problems when he came in.

Asked to comment on the performance of his replacement, Chief Healy said Chief Pelletier is "doing a great job. I think he's a very capable person."

Mr. Healy said he had had to deal with "allegations of corruption," "sick time out of sight," and a lack of aggressiveness that led to far fewer drug arrests. "People did not work," Chief Healy said of the department when he started working here.

As a result, he said, "I'll pat myself on the back and say it's a better department."

Although he was criticized for substantially increasing the budget, Chief Healy said he had to spend money to bring the department up to speed. For example, he said he increased the staff from 24 to 34 officers. It is down to about 29 officers now after the four early retirements and his own departure.

Mr. Healy said he didn't like to hear the term "turmoil" used about the police department during his tenure. He said the turmoil was caused by a newly elected board of selectmen who worked against him, particularly in his dealings with the police union. As a result, an encouraged union filed 17 complaints in his last year, the former chief said.

He did compliment Chief Pelletier on his communication skills. Chief Healy said that, perhaps because he is younger, Chief Pelletier "talks things out. An older guy like myself," he said, "digs his feet" in because he's heard all the complaints before.

As to what he's doing now, Chief Healy said he is "taking life easy." Among the consulting work he's done is a training program in homeland security for the New Bedford Steamship Authority.

"Enough to keep my mind going," he said of how he spends his days now, "but nothing too heavy."

New at the station

One year in, Police Chief Keith Pelletier said things are changing — among them:

* Police radios fixed, new antenna going in, and portable radios for all on force (even at home).All have been accomplished with grants.

* Digital cameras for accident, crime scenes

* Less "sick time" abuse

* Use of a bloodhound to track missing persons

* School anti-bullying program

* New officers' room, fresh paint at station

The reviews are in ...

"The communication has been great and I've been satisfied with his performance. I feel comfortable with him and we've just had a good working relationship. When we've needed him, he's been there. He hasn't been afraid to give his opinion and it's been invaluable, believe me."

Steve Ouellette, chairman, Board of Selectmen

"The young man's doing an excellent job. He's promoting his department and his men and not himself. He's like a breath of fresh air. He keeps himself low key and gets the job done. I've talked to people who didn't particularly approve of his appointment and they all respect him."

Selectman Russell Hart

"He's brought the officers together. They're all working toward the same goal. Most important, he's been fair and consistent in his treatment of the officers. We actually haven't filed one grievance the entire year. It's no longer the administration against the union. I think we've put our past behind us and we're moving forward and I think everyone's happy about that."

Sgt. Jeff Majewski, president of Westport police officers' union

"The morale is very high. Everyone is productive. He's the chief that we need. The first two things he thinks about are the department and the community. The word 'I' is not in his vocabulary."

Lt. Paul Holden

"I think he has very big shoes to fill."

Eileen Sheehan

"Chief Pelletier is "doing a great job. I think he's a very capable person."

Michael Healy, former police chief

By Peggy Aulisio

paulisio@eastbaynewspapers.com