WARREN— In a 10-minute-plus tirade, former Fire Chief William L. Witaszek has taken aim at the town’s Police Department, criticizing it nonstop.

He accused the department of laxity in handling the much-publicized disappearance of 16-year-old lifeguard Molly Bish of Warren in June of 2000, of officers too frequently stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts in West Brookfield, and officers often being seen parked in cruisers exchanging small talk.

“Stay away from Dunkin’ Donuts,” he told police. “Stop following each other around and pay attention direct traffic.”

Mr. Witaszek, a downtown gas station operator and a member of the recent Police Chief Search Committee, told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday that he was tired of hearing accusations and innuendoes about himself and his wife, Madeline R. Witaszek, the town accountant.

People around town and in a forum on the Internet, according to Mr. Witaszek, have accused him of being biased in the just-completed search for a new police chief.

“I have done nothing but work hard for this town ... and they’re blasting me on the Internet,” he said. “I have done what’s right and the committee has done what’s right. We are not political hacks.”

Mr. Witaszek said he cares about Warren and the people in it.

“I believe the Police Department should be the best in the area,” he said. “I support a strong police department, and no one will stand in my way of achieving that. The town will have a department they can depend on and that is proactive and community-oriented.”

Sgt. Joseph R. LaFlower, who has been commanding the police department since July, when Chief Glenn F. McKiel resigned to become police chief in Manchester-by-the-Sea, listened intently to all of Mr. Witaszek’s comments and accusations, and then responded just as strongly with an opposing view.

“Nobody knows what the police officers have to go through (in this town),” Sgt. LaFlower said.

“I’m tired of hearing them slammed every time I turn around,” he said.

“These are dedicated police officers and they deserve our respect.”

He, too, has heard innuendoes and untruths about police officers, Sgt. LaFlower said, but no one has come to the police station to register a formal complaint, and he has no control over people exercising their right of free speech on an Internet forum.

“I’m also tired of hearing about Dunkin’ Donuts,” the sergeant said. “I see nothing that provides any proof of any of that.”

“I find no reason to belittle this police department,” he added. “These men deserve better than they are getting.”

He said the department already is proactive and community-oriented, contrary to what Mr. Witaszek said.

All of these comments by both men were made just before selectmen appointed Sgt. Brice I. Leslie of the West Brookfield Police Department to take over as chief in Warren, subject to completing negotiations for a contract.