Hemingway promoted to OOB Deputy Police Chief

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — David Hemingway has been named Deputy Police Chief.

Hemingway was hired as a full-time police officer in Old Orchard Beach in 1992 after serving as a summer reserve officer. He was promoted to detective in 1996, to sergeant in 2006 and to captain 2016.

Hemingway was sworn into the new position of Deputy Police Chief at last week’s Town Council meeting.

“David has been an integral part of the police department and has been invaluable in his position as captain,” said Chief Elise Chard at last week’s Town Council meeting.

Chard previously served as a captain alongside Hemingway, and the police department hasn’t had a deputy police position for several years. She said when restructuring the police department after she came on board as chief, it was decided that having two captains was no longer feasible due to lack of staffing, and that Hemingway had recently had to increase his duties.

Hemingway thanked the town manager, Town Council and Chard for having the confidence in him to appoint him to the deputy chief position and giving him the opportunity to serve in this capacity. He also thanked the other members of the police department who came to the meeting to support him.

Town Councilor Louise Reid said while working as a chaplain she found Hemingway to be very caring and loving toward people in times of need, and noted his sensitivity while working with families who had lost loved ones.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.