BIDDEFORD – Acting Police Chief JoAnne Fisk will likely be the city’s next full-time police chief, according to a press release issued Thursday by City Manager James Bennett.

Last year, the city launched a nationwide candidate search to replace longtime Police Chief Roger Beaupre who announced in September that he would be retiring in January. Since then, Fisk, formerly the department’s deputy chief, has been serving as the interim head of the police department.

Following the conclusion of the nationwide search, Bennett has nominated Fisk to take over the police department permanently. The city council will consider and vote on Bennett’s nomination at its next regular meeting on July 18.

“Between her skillful leadership of the department over the last six months of transition and her immense knowledge of our community, it is clear that she is the best person to serve in the role of chief,” Bennett said.

Fisk has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience and first joined the Biddeford Police Department in 1980 as a patrol officer. She then worked as a sergeant at the Kennebunk Police Department and also worked for the York County Sheriff’s Office before returning to the Biddeford Police Department in 1998.

Before being named as deputy chief, Fisk served as director of Emergency Communications and Dispatch and also served as the department’s press information officer.

“JoAnne has served the people of Biddeford for many years, and during that time, she has demonstrated the leadership skills and the experience necessary to lead the Biddeford Police Department,” said Mayor Alan Casavant. “I believe that she is an excellent choice to lead the department in these times of great change within our city.”

When contacted Thursday morning, Fisk said she is both excited and honored by the nomination.

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the men and women of the Biddeford Police Department and the community I call home,” Fisk said. “I look forward to expanding and introducing new programs that will benefit both the police department and the community we serve.”

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.