Portland Police Department| 109 Middle Street | Portland, Maine 04101 | (207) 874-8479
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chiefs of police

In the spring of 1796, the citizens of Portland were faced with growing problems within the city. On April 3, 1796 the people elected William Joseph Symmes as the first Inspector of Portland. Inspector Symmes served for several years, without pay, as the first in a distinguished lineage of Portland Police Officers.

During the past 100 years, 15 individuals have served as the Chief of Police for the City of Portland. This is their roll:
Elmer H. Waterhouse 
1906-1907		 Herman A. Haskell 
1925-1932		 Clarence F. Hofacker
1951-1956
Walter H. Dresser
1907-1914		 Ralph D. Brooks
1933-1940		 Leon T. Webber
1956-1968
Daniel L. Bowen
1914-1919		 Edward R. Dodwell
1941-1943		 Douglas W. Steele
1968-1972
Irving L. Watts
1919-1924		 John R. Newell
1943-1948		 William B. McClaran
1972-1978
Elmer H. Waterhouse
1924-1925		 John M. Mulkern
1948-1951		 Francis E. Amoroso
1978-1988
Michael J. Chitwood
1988-2005		 Timothy E. Burton
2005-