By Amy Joles (Contact / Staff Bio)
September 23, 2009 - 11:12 a.m. EST

CARO — Michigan State Police Sgt. Brian Newcomb is one step closer to becoming the Caro Chief of Police.

On Monday, the Caro Village Council voted to allow village manager Don Beavers to pursue a background check on Newcomb and begin wage negotiations. Newcomb will also have to pass a physical.

“After everything comes back okay, then the council can take action on hiring a new chief,” said Beavers.

Newcomb has been with the Michigan State Police for nearly 30 years. An advisory committee, composed of council members and community members, marked him as the their first choice out of five candidates.

Candidates were interviewed by the committee Saturday.

Trustee Rick Lipan suggested the village council interview the top two candidates since the vote was close, with five in favor of Newcomb and four in favor of David G. Thompson of Midland.

Other council members were not opposed to meeting with Newcomb, but were not in favor of meeting with Thompson. All stated they were prepared to pursue the advisory committee’s best choice.

“I don’t see the value of going against the committee,” said Bernard Nelson, trustee. “We gave them the charge to make this recommendation and they have. Unless there is some overriding reason one candidate is better than the other, it’s hard to make that distinction.”

Instead of meeting with the top two candidates, the council agreed by a majority vote to sit down and discuss policing concerns with Newcomb at a public meeting, Monday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Lipan voted no on the matter.

“(At the upcoming meeting) the council can then get further explanation from Brian on all issues,” said Beavers.

Several council members and Beavers stated the advisory committee should be thanked for their diligence in the chief’s search. Earlier this month, Chief Benson Page retired from the Caro Police Department.

Beginning Sept. 14, new general office hours, 8 a.m.-noon and by appointment, went into effect. A press release from the department stated that the hour cuts were due to staffing reductions.

“The Caro Police Department apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause; however, patrol officers remain on duty 24/7 to respond to incidents as they arise,” stated the release.

Newcomb was in attendance at Monday’s village meeting, as were several Caro officers. Pending a background check, physical and finalized salary agreement, he could be hired at the next village council meeting, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.