DEXTER, Maine — The resignation of Dexter Police Chief Arthur Roy surprised town officials.
Roy submitted his resignation last Wednesday and will leave his position Friday.
“It’s time to retire,” Roy, 63, said Tuesday. The law enforcement veteran served as Dexter’s police chief for five years. Before that he served with the Maine State Police and a criminal justice agency in Florida. He said he has no plans for the future other than to visit his seriously ill brother.
Dexter Town Manager Dave Pearson said he was surprised by Roy’s resignation but he was aware some family health issues weighed on the chief’s mind.
“He’s been a very professional police chief,” Pearson said Tuesday. “He’s really tried to make the department more professional. We’ll definitely miss his professionalism and his training.”
Roy said Dexter has been a good place to work. “We have an excellent police force, a highly qualified bunch of police officers working there, and it’s been a pleasure working with them,” he said.
Roy also acknowledged local residents. “The citizens of Dexter have been highly supportive of our Police Department and that’s been appreciated over the years,” he said.
Until a new chief is hired, Pearson said, Sgt. James Emerson will serve as acting police chief. The job, which has a salary of about $50,000, will be posted in-house first, he said.
Pearson has the authority to hire a new police chief, but said he would do so only after a committee representing the finance officer and the assistant town manager provide comment, along with comment from the Town Council. The council hires the town manager and the appraiser, but department heads are the responsibility of the town manager, according to Pearson.