At a Thursday, April 30, afternoon change of command ceremony, Richard Lewsen, Windham’s police chief since January 1989, formally relinquished control of the department to former Bridgton police chief Kevin Schofield. Lewsen was then escorted by a police caravan to his home in Windham.

In a ceremony held in front of the Windham police station, Lewsen handed the Windham Police Department flag to Schofield, symbolizing the change of command. On Friday, May 1, Lewsen, who started as a sergeant when the Windham Police Department formed in 1976, formally retired.

“The three core values of mine are professionalism, courtesy and trust,” Lewsen said at the ceremony. “When you pin your badge on and come to duty, think of these three core values. It’s worked well for me. My official retirement is May 1, tomorrow at noon. 38-and-a-half years. That’s a long run. Then again, don’t forget your three core values, and take care of yourself. Thank you.”

In a speech, Town Manager Tony Plante sought to define Lewsen’s legacy.

“A few years ago, looking ahead to this day, though no firm plans had yet been made, the chief and I talked about the legacy he would leave when he decided to retire,” Plante said. “What you see before you – not the building, but the men and women of the department, the knowledge and skills they have gained, the talents and abilities they brought with them and continue to develop and use, and their dedication and sense of service – is that legacy.”

Schofield joined the Windham police force on April 20. A native of Massachusetts, Schofield moved to Freeport in 1982 and has served in law enforcement in Maine for 29 years. Schofield served as a patrol and school resource officer on the Topsham Police Department for four years, and worked on the Brunswick police force for 21 years. He left that department as commander.

“Today marks the official start of a new chapter in the history of the Windham police department, from its third chief Richard Lewsen Jr. to its fourth, Kevin Schofield,” Plante said.

The Windham Police Department held a change of command ceremony Thursday, as its third chief, Richard Lewsen, relinquished control of the department to Kevin Schofield, the former Bridgton chief of police.Staff photo by Ezra SilkRetiring Windham Police Chief Richard Lewsen addressed the Windham Police Department. “The three core values of mine are professionalism, courtesy and trust,” Lewsen said at the ceremony. “When you pin your badge on and come to duty, think of these three core values.”Windham Town Clerk Linda Morrell swears Windham Police Chief Kevin Schofield into office. Schofield is the former Bridgton police chief.Chief Richard Lewsen prepares to be driven home in a police caravan, following a change-of-command ceremony Thursday afternoon. Lewsen formally retired at noon on Friday, May 1.