After 20 years with Gorham police, Lt. Ted Blais has left to become director of public safety at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Blais drew praise this week for his duty in Gorham. “He did a great job,” said Gorham Police Chief Ron Shepard. “It’s a step up.”

The last day of duty in Gorham for Blais came on May 20. The departure of Blais, who rose to lieutenant from a Gorham sergeant in 2001, leaves a vacancy. Shepard said the department would promote from within, and Gorham’s sergeants are eligible to apply for the lieutenant’s position, a post second in department command under Shepard. Shepard expects to name a replacement for Blais by August.

Blais, 43, a native of Johnston, R.I., joined Gorham police as a patrol officer in 1985. He served as a detective, a DARE officer and a sergeant before becoming the lieutenant.

He previously served with police in Medfield, Mass., after continuing his education at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. He said he moved to Maine on a “whim” when he was single and loves the state.

“I never wanted to move back,” he said.

After relocating to Maine, he applied for police positions in Westbrook, Windham and Gorham, which was the first to respond. “Gorham beat them all to the punch,” Blais said.

Blais is married with three sons, the oldest of which will graduate from Cheverus High School this year. He is driving the 90-minute commute one way to Farmington daily. He breaks up the traveling routine, taking different routes to get to work. Blais eventually plans on building a home in Farmington.

At Farmington, Blais is replacing a chief who retired. He is overseeing a staff of five full-time officers in addition to part timers.

“I hope to help make this department the best it can be,” he said.

The move for Blais takes him from one university town to another. By comparing the two campuses, he said there are more dormitory beds at Farmington than at the Gorham campus. Gorham has a huge student commuter population, he said.

As a Gorham officer, Blais worked closely with the University of Southern Maine Police Department. Lisa Beecher, chief of the USM police for both Gorham and Portland campuses, said Blais was instrumental in promoting responsible alcohol choices as a member of a committee that met at the Gorham campus.

“Ted was helpful,” said Beecher, who had worked with Blais over seven years.

Beecher said Blais was concerned about “town/gown” issues, referring to the relationship between year-round residents and students. Blais was one of two Gorham officers who accepted an award at the Blaine House in Augusta for the Gorham Police Department in February as “Friends of Prevention” from the Maine Higher Education Alcohol Prevention Partnership. “He’s proven to be interested and knowledgeable about concerns related to the USM Police Department, the university and the town of Gorham,” Beecher said.

Blais said the Farmington campus is in the midst of the town, unlike the Gorham campus that has entrances. “I really enjoy the campus atmosphere,” he said. “It’s lots of fun. Really nice here.”

The university system has three police departments. They are at Farmington and Orono, in addition to the University of Southern Maine.

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