HOULTON, Maine — A 57-year-old Florida law enforcement veteran with more than 38 years of experience in the field is on tap to be the next chief of the Houlton Police Department pending the Town Council’s approval next Monday evening.
Houlton Town Manager Butch Asselin said Wednesday afternoon that Terry “Joe” McKenna of Winter Garden, Florida, was the top candidate out of 12 applicants who sought the position.
McKenna would replace Asselin, who became interim town manager in April after former manager Gene Conlogue resigned. Asselin then was officially named the new town manager in July.
Asselin continued to perform some police chief duties, with significant assistance from Lt. Dan Pelletier.
McKenna has spent the past five years as a reserve lieutenant for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, receiving an outstanding service award from the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association for that jurisdiction in 2012. He started his law enforcement career in Florida with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in 1976, and has also worked as a trooper for the Florida Highway Patrol and as commander of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Asselin said McKenna is college educated with a long list of credentials and certifications. For instance, he is certified as a field training officer and master diver. He also worked in a police motorcycle unit and was in charge of the driving under the influence unit while at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
“We were very lucky to get him,” Asselin said. “It was a long process. We advertised twice, and he came up here twice for interviews, even though he wasn’t required to come up here in person for the second interview. That really told me a lot about him. I believe he is a man of character and integrity.”
The town manager said McKenna is friends with Presque Isle Police Chief Matt Irwin, who also is from Florida. McKenna’s wife, Marty, is a retired police officer from Massachusetts, who is looking forward to returning to the four seasons of New England, Asselin said.
Pending council confirmation, McKenna’s first day in the position would be Jan. 5, 2015.