Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 Source: Concord Monitor (NH) Copyright: 2004 Monitor Publishing Company Contact: http://www.cmonitor.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/767 Author: Eric Moskowitz OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THREATS Tower Leads the DARE Program at Local School DEERFIELD - A Deerfield police officer known for working with kids is being held at the Rockingham County jail on a pair of domestic violence-related charges. Paul C. Tower, the town's juvenile officer and the DARE instructor in the local school, was arrested by the state police Thursday on felony charges of threatening to commit a crime and tampering with a witness. On the evening of Nov. 21, Tower, 34, allegedly threatened to grab the steering wheel of his wife's 1997 Volvo sedan while she was driving, telling her, "How's it feel to die today?" according to a complaint filed by state police Trooper Jill Rockey. He then grabbed the wheel, saying, "I could just veer the car," Rockey wrote. Later that night, Tower allegedly warned his wife not to report the incident, telling her that he would have her arrested. When she replied that she had done nothing wrong, Tower apparently told her "they're not gonna know that" and "I'm gonna tell them you stole my phone," causing his wife to avoid calling the police, according to the complaint. Tower is being held in Brentwood on $100,000 bail. A probable cause hearing has been set for tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Hampton, according to the Hampton District Court clerk's office. The case was originally filed in Auburn District Court, where most Deerfield Police Department arrests are handled, but has been moved to Hampton. Tower's wife, who lives in Manchester, did not return a call for comment. Tower moved out of the house they shared this fall, responding to a classified ad for an apartment on Raymond Road in Deerfield. It turned out to be an in-law apartment attached to the home of local Selectman Paul Dinneen, who had known Tower since the latter joined the police department. "I hope the best for Paul," Dinneen said. "I'm just - I'm disappointed things have turned out this way. I'm disappointed for Paul. I don't know what to say. . . maybe I shouldn't say anything beyond letting the dust settle." Police Chief Robert Wunderlich relieved Tower of his duties following the arrest. Tower was not fired and will continue to receive his pay,pending the outcome of the case, Wunderlich said. "If he's found guilty, obviously he's going to lose his job," the chief said. "Other than that, I have to assume he's innocent until he's proven guilty." The selectmen have final authority on hiring and firing and typically act on the recommendation of the chief, local officials said. If the state Police Academy were to take external action, suspending or revoking Tower's certification, then the town would have to decide whether to terminate him or suspend him without pay, Wunderlich said. Wunderlich described Tower as a popular officer who rose to the rank of corporal, making him fourth in command on a department of seven full-time officers, behind the chief, a lieutenant and a sergeant. He has a special interest in working with children and teens, the chief said. "He seems to identify with the kids . . . and they can identify with him," Wunderlich said. Last year, several kids in town approached Tower about building a skateboard park, Wunderlich said. Tower met with selectmen and began soliciting in-kind service donations to construct the park at no cost to taxpayers. He was supposed to return this fall for a follow-up with selectmen, bearing blueprints, Dinneen said. "But that's probably when his home troubles began, and he probably just put it on the back burner, as anyone else would," the selectman said. Tower is a "real decent guy" and "a very good tenant, a quiet man," Dinneen said. " . . . He gives me a lot of room and respect, and I do the same for him." Tower generally stayed in the apartment alone, except for visits from a 5-year-old daughter "who he absolutely adores," Dinneen said. Tower has received a couple of commendations for his police work, including a "Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket" award given last spring by the state Police Standards and Training Council. The award recognized Tower for investigating and arresting a couple that had been growing marijuana at home after the couple first called to report a burglary. The state police are handling Tower's case to avoid any possibility of conflict of interest, Wunderlich said, and the investigation is ongoing. The probable cause hearing was set sooner than usual, Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams said, because of the significant size of the bail figure. He could not comment on how the police learned of the Nov. 21 incident. Pending the outcome of the investigation, the case could be presented to a grand jury, Reams said. A grand jury indictment would bring re-arraignment in superior court, Reams said. DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) classes are scheduled to begin next week at the Deerfield Community School, Wunderlich said. Lt. Michael Greeley will teach the DARE course, while Sgt. Steve Turner will handle juvenile matters in Tower's absence, the chief said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake