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Egremont hires outsider to review police

EGREMONT, Mass. (AP) - The Berkshire County town of Egremont has hired a private agency to conduct a review of the town's police department and chief following a near mutiny by officers.

The Select Board voted this week to bring in Plymouth-based Pomeroy Resources Inc.

Robert Pomeroy tells The Berkshire Eagle he'll conduct a thorough, top-to-bottom study of the department.

Police Chief Reena Bucknell was placed on paid administrative leave two weeks ago in response to a petition signed by five of the town's seven full- and part-time officers stating that the entire department had taken a unanimous no-confidence vote in her leadership.

One officer wrote that Bucknell, who has been chief for 15 years, has created a "hostile work environment."

The review is expected to take three weeks and cost nearly $10,000.