Debby Mayer is reporting for The Columbia Paper retired New York State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt, submitted his assessment of the Germantown Police Department June 26. In the report, Corbitt concluded the department should be closed down, writing, “The Germantown Police Department has not demonstrated engagement in performing a full array of law enforcement services during the past three years, [and] has not functioned in a similar manner as their counterparts for the last three years if not longer.” A previous assessment of the department was conducted by the village of Chatham police chief Peter Volkmann in 2015. Corbitt concurred with Volkmann's findings. “Frankly, the Town Board knew that the police department was problematic based on [that] 2015 assessment and failed to take any action to rectify the issues stated therein,” he wrote. Corbitt said the department's deficiencies are so profound that the only objective recommendation would be to ensure the Germantown police refrain from engaging in any law enforcement services. The report has been posted at the town website; however, entire sections have redacted, including text under the headings "Supervision," "Judgment" and "Training." Brian DuBois was officer-in-charge of the Germantown police until he was placed on paid administrative leave this year. He was paid $17 per hour. The force had been reduced to one part-time officer, Damon Fili, who had his appointment rescinded in June because “he didn’t take the oath of office,” said Supervisor Robert Beaury. Fili was paid $15 per hour. Abolishing the department will require a local law, and that will require a public hearing. A link to Corbitt's full assessment is available on the WGXC newsroom page. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.