MONTAGUE — With his transition to a full-time position on the Northwestern District Attorney’s Anti-Crime Task Force, Police Detective Jacob Lapean would not only broaden his range of services, but potentially net Montague more money in the process.

Lapean, who works part-time with the task force, received approval to begin full-time work from the Selectboard on Monday. Under full-time status, he would work three days per week with the task force while maintaining a two-day work week and on-call status with the Montague Police Department.

This change could prove financially beneficial for Montague because municipalities with full-time task force members are compensated considerably more in situations where money or possessions, such as vehicles, are confiscated in criminal cases. Police Chief Christopher Williams expects Lapean to begin his full-time service in July, should the DA’s office follow through with the transition.

According to the DA’s office website, the Anti-Crime Task Force consists of law enforcement officials throughout Hampshire and Franklin counties, as well as Athol. Members are responsible for helping area police departments to “identify, investigate and prosecute illegal narcotics offenses, unlawful firearms offenses, gang-related crimes, major crimes, human trafficking and other organized criminal activities.”

Lapean has been serving on the task force in a part-time capacity, working two days per week, according to Williams. In this capacity, the town is reimbursed $6,500 toward his wage and $2,000 for overtime pay. With his shift to full-time work, the town would be reimbursed $22,000 and $10,000, respectively.

Additionally, when money is confiscated in a criminal case, or possessions, such as vehicles, are confiscated and then sold, the money may be distributed to municipalities whose officers are involved in the case, Williams explained. The amount of money paid out, he said, is typically much more when the involved member works full-time rather than part-time. He cited a recent “big bust” in Orange as an example, noting that Orange received $30,000 when it could have received $60,000 had its officer been working full-time with the task force.

“Having him full-time, I would suspect that he would have more influence on how many more investigations happen in the town of Montague,” Williams added.

Selectboard Chair Rich Kuklewicz projected that Lapean’s transition to full-time work could be a favorable change for not only Montague, but the region as a whole.

“It appears to me that although he’ll be working as part of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, these really cross the borders of communities, these sorts of things,” Kuklewicz said. “By assisting with an issue in a neighboring community, there’s really a positive effect — it seems to me — on our community, too.”

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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