Old Orchard Beach hires first woman Police Chief

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The town has hired Elise Chard as its new police chief.

Chard has served as interim police chief since early May when previous police chief Dana Kelley retired. According to town officials, she is the first woman police chief in the department’s history.

She has worked for the Old Orchard Beach Police Department for 29 years and has lived in town since a year after joining the department. Chard began as a police officer and rose to the rank of detective in 1994, corporal in 1996, sergeant in 2000 and captain in 2017. Prior to her service with the Old Orchard Beach Department, she worked at the Lisbon Police Department.

Her appointment as the first woman police chief in Old Orchard Beach is not Chard’s only first. She was also the first woman drug agent in the history of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Town Manager Diana Asanza said at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting that she was excited and proud to nominate Chard for the position.

“We’ve worked together for almost ten years and it’s been a pleasure working with her,” she said.

 The Town Council unanimously approved Chard’s appointment.

Chard thanked Asanza and the Town Council for their “overwhelming and unwavering support.”

She also thanked her colleagues in the department, many of whom were in the Council Chambers that evening, stating that they were a team and she looked forward to continuing working with them.

Town Council Chairman Shawn O’Neill said he recognized Chard’s dedication to the town.

Town Councilor Larry Mead said he had worked with Chard for many years is his former role as Town Manager and was thrilled to have her as the new police chief.

“I hold you in the highest regard,” said Mead.

Chard’s new position was effective immediately after the vote. The annual salary is set at $105,395.

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