SACO, Maine — Saco Police Chief Bradley Paul, a 40-year veteran of the department, will be turning in his uniform at the end of the year.
Paul, 60, will be celebrating his 40th anniversary with Saco Police in August — or, as he put it on Friday, “a good long time.” He was laid off during a tax cap in 1979, but was able to return to the position after a couple of months. He’s been police chief for nearly 14 years.
Paul said he’s enjoyed working with the council, which, he said, has faced some difficult times but has always done the right thing. He said he’s also enjoyed working with City Administrator Kevin Sutherland, who brought in some new ideas when he came on board last year.
“I feel pretty fortunate and pretty blessed,” he said. “I think I work for a great community.”
Paul said he was intrigued by a career in law enforcement at a young age, having had a few relatives who were police officers.
“I’ve never wanted to do anything else,” he said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. ”
As a police officer, Paul said, you see the good, the bad and the ugly, and you catch people at their very best and their very worst. Still, he said the community has been appreciative of the service the police department provides, and he enjoys the job, which is different every day.
“You have to bring your heart and soul to the table,” he said. “It becomes not just what you do but who you are. ”
Downtown business owner and former mayor Mark Johnston said Paul has been a “great chief ” who is visible in the public eye and always a willing participant in discussions. Current Mayor Roland “Ron” Michaud echoed those sentiments.
“He’s done an outstanding job for the community,” Michaud said, adding that Paul has all the qualities of a good police chief: he’s professional, he loves what he does, he’s great to work with, and he’s kept the city safe.
“Those will be big shoes to fill. He’ll be sorely missed,” said Michaud.
Paul had been thinking for a while that he’d retire after 40 years — a good round number, he said — and after he leaves his post at year’s end, he’ll still be active in the community.
“I’m not a sit-around-the-house kind of guy,” he said.