Stillman hired as new Bridgton Police Chief

NEW CHIEF — Richard Stillman

NEW CHIEF — Richard Stillman

By Gail Geraghty

Staff Writer

Thirteen-year veteran Walpole, Mass., Police Chief Richard Stillman was confirmed Tuesday as the new Bridgton Police Chief following a three-month search.

The Bridgton Board of Selectmen welcomed Stillman with a handshake after officially confirming his hiring by Town Manager Bob Peabody. Stillman replaces Kevin Schofield, who left to become Windham Police Chief.

Stillman was the top choice among 19 applicants for the job from Maine and New England law enforcement agencies. He has been Chief of Police of the Walpole Police Department since 2002, after rising up the ranks from Patrol Sergeant to Lieutenant.

“I really feel like it’s coming back home,” said Stillman in introducing himself to the board. With him was Interim Police Chief Jerry Hinton, who will be staying on for a few more weeks to assist Stillman in transitioning to the new job.

Stillman said he has summered on Moose Pond in Bridgton for several years, and is very fond of the area.

“I’m very excited about working here, and I look forward to working with town officials and the residents of this community,” he said.

An official swearing-in ceremony for Stillman as Bridgton Chief of Police will be held on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. in the downstairs multipurpose room at the Bridgton Municipal Complex.

Stillman began his law enforcement career 34 years ago in Walpole, a city of around 25,000 residents located 13 miles south of downtown Boston. He served as a Patrol Sergeant from 1981 to 1988, and was then promoted to Lieutenant in 1988. He became Police Chief of the Walpole Police Department in 2002.

During his tenure as chief, Stillman revised departmental policies and procedures while working toward accreditation, and instituted programs to bring various community, school and recreation interests together to increase safety in the city.

He led a force that consisted of seven sergeants, three administrative assistants, six detectives, 22 patrol officers and six dispatchers.

Stillman holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Cum Laude, from Northeastern University, and a Master's degree from Boston University, earning a 3.7 average. He is a 4.0 graduate of the 180th Session of the FBI's National Academy. Stillman was also appointed to the Statewide 911 Telecommunications Board and is past president of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, a consortium of 45 police departments south and west of Boston. He also served on the Executive Boards of MetroLEC and the Greater Boston Police Council.