WESTBROOK – The pending retirement of Westbrook’s police chief is bringing about monumental changes for both his officers and the city’s firefighters, who are all about to experience a major departmental shakeup.

Police Chief Bill Baker announced his retirement late last week, and on Monday, Mayor Colleen Hilton held a press conference to announce the city would not be looking for a new chief. Instead, upon Baker’s retirement Feb. 4, the city will appoint fire Chief Mike Pardue as interim director of public safety to oversee police, fire and rescue operations and services.

“It is critically important that we continue the very positive direction the department has taken under Chief Baker’s leadership,” she said.

Baker said having one head of both departments is a common practice in other parts of the country. He described it as a creative way to save some money.

“It’s certainly necessary for people like the mayor to look at creative alternatives,” he said. “It’s clearly a way to save money and streamline the structure of this particular area of city government.”

No city officials were available to give specific financial information about the shift before the American Journal’s deadline.

Those involved in the transition say Pardue provides the city a unique opportunity to test the viability of combining the roles of police and fire chief. Pardue brings what others described as a background fitting for such a position.

“It’s the softest landing we possibly could have had,” said City Administrator Jerre Bryant.

Hilton brought Pardue on after her inauguration last year to help guide the fire department, which at the time was in turmoil due to scandal and allegations of sexual harassment. Officials have indicated the department has made great strides in Pardue’s 10 months as chief and that he is the right candidate to head up both departments.

While Pardue, 54, is only officially on board for an interim period of an estimated three months, there are undertones he may be in it for the long haul.

“I think that probably depends a lot on Mike’s wishes. My expectation is Mike’s wishes and the city’s wishes may align at some point in the not too distant future,” Baker said.

Hilton indicated the city would be fortunate if Pardue stayed on permanently, saying, “Assuming he’s interested in a long-term basis, which I hope he is, it’s going to be good for the team.”

Pardue said he has not yet decided whether to apply for the job.

It could be a surprising turn of events for a man who was hired to take over the fire department for six months to a year. Pardue is the founder of Central Intelligence of Kennebunk, a management consulting firm that evaluates public safety services.

“I never underestimate where life can take us. I was called into a New Hampshire community to serve as their town administrator. They asked if I would come for three months. I left five years later. You just never know where those roads will take you,” he said.

While Baker said it could be difficult to find someone with the skills to oversee both police and fire divisions, he said that Pardue’s background makes him a unique candidate and a fortunate find for Westbrook.

Pardue said he began a law enforcement career in the mid-1970s, holding jobs as a dispatcher and police officer before eventually becoming chief of police in Ogunquit. There, he served for a time as police chief and town manager.

“I have been used to serving in dual roles,” he said.

Officials said Pardue’s job should be made easier by the leadership already in place at other levels of the departments. Police Capt. Tom Roth and Lt. Mike Nugent will report directly to Pardue, as will firefighter Wayne Jones, who was recently named deputy fire chief after the city’s contract with Sandra Hillsgrove, another consultant, came to an end on Dec. 31.

“I’m sure there will be a smooth, seamless transition going forward,” Pardue said. “The loss is Bill Baker.”

Hilton said Baker provided “outstanding leadership” over the past four years, elevating the police department’s performance, professionalism, community outreach and responsiveness.

She said she knew from the time she was elected Baker could be a “retention risk,” adding, “He’s in high demand and he’s recruited on a pretty regular basis.”

She said Baker approached her about a month ago and told her he was being recruited again. He has accepted a job with Keane Federal Systems of McLean, Va., where he will be working from his home in Portland for an FBI program seeking to reduce the number of officers killed and assaulted in the line of duty.

Baker, 55, credited his success in Westbrook to the men and women of his department. He said his decision to retire is bittersweet and he is walking away with some regret because “I absolutely love coming to work every day to serve the people of Westbrook.”

However, he said, police leadership has become a “younger man’s game” and has started to take its toll after his decades of service around the world. He still regularly goes on patrol, explaining he would not have his officers do anything if he were not also doing it.

“I feel it’s important to be in touch with the stuff the men and women are up against. Twice in the last month I’ve had wrestling matches with young, fit drug addicts,” he said. “As those things happen, and my energy level decreases with time, I’ve sort of started thinking this is a young man’s game. I’m not inclined to slow the pace and do half as much as I’ve done.”

Baker has taken criticism in his time here for being too vigilant and too visible. He said an aggressive approach has had an impact on the community, and he has an obligation to let the people of Westbrook know what is going on.

“I don’t think you can fix the problems unless you identify them and deal with them,” he said. “This has never been about me in spite of the fact I get criticized periodically for being too visible.”

Baker said he brought about a change in the department’s culture when he arrived. His impression was police were not doing enough to make an impact on crime.

“If we get called now, we take care of business,” he said.

Whoever takes over as director of public safety needs to maintain a commitment to the men and women of the force, Baker said. He has too many memorable moments to pick out one from his time here, but said, through it all, it has been the relationships with his officers that have made this a positive experience.

“These officers approach it with great professional judgment, great restraint and a sense of humor. Nobody here is taking themselves too seriously. We take care of big city crime with a small town flair. I’m damn proud of that,” he said. “This has a lot less to do with me than the people that go out there and do the job every day. Like a conductor, I’m just waving the wand.”

Flanked by police Chief William Baker, left, and fire Chief Michael Pardue, Westbrook Mayor Colleen Hilton answers a question during a press conference at the Public Safety building on Monday. Hilton announced that Pardue would also serve the city as interim public safety director when Baker retires on Feb. 4. Photos by Rich Obrey