Hinsdale leaders defend police department amid mutual aid row with Dalton

On Monday, WAMC broke the news that Dalton Police Chief Deanna Strout had ended her department’s cooperation with the Hinsdale Police Department amid criticism over its handling of the mental health wellness check on Biagio Kauvil in January that left the young man shot to death by police. On Tuesday, Hinsdale issued a statement to the press that “strongly disagrees” with Strout’s characterization of the Hinsdale PD as dangerously untrained, poorly managed, and a threat to both the public and her officers. In the statement, town Administrator Bob Graves said Strout was drawing on “selective interpretations of statements made in the aftermath of an extraordinarily complicated and tragic incident.” Graves defended the Hinsdale Police Department, arguing members were traumatized by the Kauvil killing. Graves also took issue with Strout’s statement that Jan. 7 was not the first time the Dalton PD had concerns about the Hinsdale PD, describing them as “vague references.” Strout is not the only critic of the Hinsdale PD in light of January’s incident. Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue has called for an independent investigation into the department, citing concerns about its leadership. The people of Hinsdale have approved funding for an audit of the department as well.