FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ellsworth Appoints Troy Bires as New Police Chief
Police Chief – Troy Bires
Ellsworth, Maine – 7/29/24 – Following a highly competitive selection process, the City of Ellsworth is proud to announce the appointment of Troy Bires as the new Chief of Police. Chief Bires, who has been serving as Interim Police Chief, brings an impressive 35-year career in law enforcement to the role, demonstrating unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and a commitment to the community.
A native of Bucksport, Maine, Chief Bires began his policing career as a patrolman and quickly distinguished himself through his work ethic and expertise. Over the years, he has undertaken extremely challenging assignments, including undercover work with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and as an Assistant Supervisor in that agency. Troy returned to the Ellsworth Police Department as a Captain, then Deputy Chief, then Interim Chief. His contributions have been integral to building what is widely regarded as one of the finest police departments of its size in Maine.
In his role as Deputy Chief of Police, Chief Bires was instrumental in achieving accreditation for his department, a testament to his commitment to excellence and adherence to rigorous standards. He has also been a driving force behind modernizing police operations, ensuring low turnover rates, maintaining low crime rates, and investing in cutting-edge technology and training for his officers.
In his tenure as Interim Police Chief in Ellsworth, Chief Bires has excelled in every capacity, earning the confidence of city officials and the community alike. His vision for the future of the Ellsworth Police Department includes further advancements in crime prevention, addressing the challenges of a growing city, maintaining high staff morale, and tackling pressing issues such as mental health, addiction, and homelessness.
The selection process for the new Police Chief was comprehensive and included resume screenings/scorings and multiple interview rounds from a hiring committee composed of the City Manager, HR Director, Director of Economic Development, School Superintendent, Director of Social Services, Fire Chief, a member of the City Council, and a retired police chief from outside of Ellsworth. The committee was thoroughly impressed by Chief Bires’ deep care for the police department and the region. His passion for his work and dedication to ensuring the department’s success was evident throughout the interview process.
Ellsworth City Manager Charlie Pearce expressed his confidence in Chief Bires’ ability to lead the department into a new era noting, “Chief Bires not only outscored other candidates on the questions during the interview process, but also presented an outstanding plan for the future of our police force. His dedication to modernizing our department, improving community relations, and addressing critical social issues is truly commendable.”
Beyond his substantial policing duties, Chief Bires is also a trusted advisor to the city on a range of issues. Despite his long tenure with the Ellsworth Police Department, it has been encouraging to see Interim Chief Bires’ renewed focus on re-establishing relationships with stakeholders and seeking their feedback on what the future of the police department needs to tackle to be successful. His commitment to engaging with the community and understanding its needs has made him an invaluable asset to Ellsworth.
Chief Bires is committed to updating the department’s strategic planning process by engaging with staff at all levels, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future of policing in Ellsworth. His forward-thinking approach includes partnering with social services and healthcare providers to address the complex challenges faced by the community.
The City of Ellsworth is excited to move forward with Chief Bires at the helm of the Police Department. His official appointment will be up for a formal vote at the upcoming August City Council meeting.
