A retired Eliot and Kittery police chief was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday as Maine’s next U.S. marshal.

Theodor G. Short of South Berwick, who had been nominated for the post by President Trump, was confirmed to a four-year term, according to a statement from Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Theodor G. Short

Short, a native of Fairfield, was the first police chief in the state to lead two police departments concurrently.

He retired as police chief for Kittery and Eliot in 2016.

Collins said Short’s career in law enforcement has spanned more than four decades.

After serving in the Army as a Military Police officer, Short became a Maine state trooper.

He served in the state police for more than 20 years before retiring as commanding officer of Troop A – a district that covers southern Maine.

“Ted has served for more than 40 years in law enforcement in Maine and is highly qualified to assume this crucial position,” Collins said.

“Throughout his impressive career in public service, Ted has spearheaded important initiatives to increase safety in the community and develop productive partnerships between law enforcement and citizens.”

Collins said that Short led an initiative to establish the Zero Tolerance Domestic Violence Policy, which established partnerships between the Maine State Police Criminal Investigative Division, prosecutors, advocacy groups and local leaders to protect victims.

He also organized Hope for the Seacoast, an effort to help southern Maine and northern New Hampshire address the opioid crisis by bringing law enforcement and the community together.

The term of the state’s previous U.S. marshal, Noel March, has expired.

Once Short is sworn in, he will assume his new duties.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service is the enforcement arm of the federal courts and is involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative.

Their duties may include protection of the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling seized assets acquired by criminals, housing and transporting federal prisoners, and operating the witness security program.

Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com