Sabattus, Maine Loses Fifth Police Chief in Five Years

The town of Sabattus is facing growing uncertainty over the future of its police department after the resignation of its fifth police chief in just five years.

According to WGME, town officials say they remain committed to public safety, but acknowledge the current situation is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

“The department’s falling apart,” Sabattus Town Manager Raquel Welch-Day said during a select board meeting Tuesday night. Welch-Day added that ongoing staffing challenges and competition from larger agencies are making it harder to recruit and retain officers, the news station reported.

Outgoing Police Chief David Lyons echoed those concerns as he announced his resignation, calling the current circumstances “untenable.” Lyons also revealed he submitted his resignation last week, citing persistent staffing shortages.

“It’s about money, and it’s about nobody wanting this job anymore,” Welch-Day said. “When you’re a small department and surrounding agencies are paying significantly more, it’s tough to keep people.”

WGME said town leaders are now exploring two potential alternatives: merging the department with Lisbon Police or having the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office take over coverage. The sheriff’s office option has been rejected by voters twice in the past.

“We’re still actively trying to hire,” Welch-Day said, “but we also need to look seriously at what working with Lisbon or the sheriff’s office would look like.”

Residents appear divided on the issue. Some say keeping a local police presence is critical. Others believe repeated leadership turnover points to deeper issues. The town manager says the decision will ultimately be left to voters, with a town meeting vote recommended for April, WGME reported.