On Monday, the Windham police and fire chiefs announced their intentions to retire.

According to a press release from Windham Town Manager Tony Plante, Fire-Rescue Chief Charles Hammond is set to retire at the end of 2014, with Rick Lewsen Jr. of the police department to retire in April 2015.

Plante said Hammond’s retirement will come after more than 40 years with the department, including 29 as chief, as well as many years as a public school teacher and principal. Lewsen will retire after 26 years as Windham’s police chief, and more than 40 years in Maine law enforcement.

Plante commended the two, saying, “Both Charlie and Rick should be proud of the work they’ve done, and their legacies of public service. Their deep knowledge of the community will be hard to replace, but we have time to conduct the search for their successors in a deliberate, thoughtful way.”

Plante said he would be consulting with the Town Council about the process in the weeks to come, but that it likely would involve input from the community, department members and other stakeholders, developing a needs assessment and candidate profile before seeking applicants. Candidates would also undergo a thorough screening, interview, and

evaluation process. Appointment to either of these positions by the town manager will require confirmation by the council, he added.

“Their retirements will mark the start of new chapters for the police and fire-rescue departments, a chance to build on what’s been done so far and help guide the town into the future,” Plante said.