By Amanda Pinto, Register Staff

MADISON — Three men remain in contention to become the town’s new police chief: the Groton Long Point police chief, a North Haven deputy police chief, and a police captain from Amherst, Mass.

The identities of the candidates were confirmed by multiple sources this week.

Emile Geisenheimer, chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners who is leading the Personnel Search Committee, said Monday the three finalists would be interviewed Tuesday, and the field would soon be narrowed to two candidates. More than 130 applied for the job.

Geisenheimer declined to confirm the names of the finalists out of respect for the men, who hold jobs in other departments, he said.

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Sources said the leading candidate appears to be the only chief among the finalists, John Drumm, a retired sergeant from state police Troop F in Westbrook.

Drumm leads a handful of officers in the Groton Long Point Police Department, which covers 1,650 year-round residents and more than 6,600 seasonal residents. Drumm did not return a phone call Tuesday.

North Haven Deputy Police Chief Thomas McLoughlin has 31 years of experience with that department, three as deputy chief, and graduated from an FBI National Academy.

McLoughlin, who confirmed that he interviewed for the Madison position, said he applied for the job because he believes he has the necessary experience.

“I thought I not only met the minimum requirements but exceeded them. They were looking for someone with the background and experience to make some changes,” McLoughlin said. Continued...

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There are 48 sworn police officers in North Haven. McLoughlin assists Police Chief James X. DiCarlo in a range of administrative functions, from budget preparation to strategic planning and grant writing. The deputy chief also oversees the patrol and detective divisions.

The only remaining out-of-state candidate is Capt. Michael Kent, who is in charge of patrol operations in Amherst. Kent has been with the department for 28 years and has commanded both operation and administrative divisions in the 45-officer department, which serves the town of 35,000 residents and several colleges, according to the department’s Web site.

Kent served as interim chief in the department, and was in contention for the permanent chief’s position this summer, according to published reports. He was out of the office Tuesday.

The three finalists emerged after the Personnel Search Committee interviewed its top five candidates last week.

Milford Chief Keith Mello was among the five candidates, but withdrew from consideration last week. Mello, a 28-year member of the Milford department, declined to comment on the Madison police chief position except to say, “I felt it’s important to concentrate all my efforts on Milford at this time.”

Milford Police Officer Jason Anderson was recently arrested on manslaughter charges. He was allegedly driving 94 mph June 13 when his cruiser collided with a car carrying two Orange teens, both 19, killing them. Anderson was not responding to an emergency at the time of the accident. He was also cited for reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

The fifth candidate, Fairfield Police Chief Dave Peck, was not selected for the second round of interviews, sources said.

The search committee, responsible for interviewing candidates for the $95,000 position, which comes with a five-year contract, consists of the members of the Board of Police Commissioners, First Selectman Fillmore McPherson, Selectman Al Goldberg and Board of Finance members Kathy Rossini and Jennifer Tung.

With the second round of interviews completed, Geisenheimer told the Board of Selectmen Monday the next step will be thorough background checks. He said the committee will likely complete the selection before Christmas.

Geisenheimer could not be reached for comment Tuesday. McPherson declined to comment. Continued...

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After the interviews and background checks are concluded, the police commission will make the final appointment, but the Board of Selectmen will have veto power, Geisenheimer has said.

Register bureau chiefs Brian McCready and Ann DeMatteo contributed to this story.

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