SABATTUS — Selectmen will consider giving the town’s top police job to Portland police Lt. Anthony Ward on Tuesday.

Town Manager Andrew Gilmore said Friday that he had already tapped Ward as the new chief but the appointment needs the board’s confirmation.

Ward is a 26-year veteran of the Portland force, according to a release from Gilmore, currently serving as internal affairs lieutenant and chief of police adjutant.

Sabattus has been looking for a new police chief since Thomas Fales, the chief for nearly 18 years, retired in June. Jerry Hinton has served as interim chief through a contract with Municipal Resources Inc. since.

Fifty-six people applied for the spot. Eight interviewed finalists were eventually narrowed to three. At the last selectmen’s meeting, Gilmore said he had one candidate for the board to consider.

Ward lives in Gray. Gilmore said he expects selectmen to confirm the new chief.

“Lt. Ward is an extremely qualified professional and he really stood out to me as the obvious choice,” Gilmore wrote. “His professional experience, education, proven track record of successful leadership, and his vision for our department is really what propelled him out in front of the pack. Lt. Ward is the total package of what I believe to be the very best choice for Sabattus to lead our Police Department and we are very lucky to have him.”

kskelton@sunjournal.com

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