KENNEBUNK — The Kennebunk Police Department will soon be reconfiguring its command structure.
The change was inspired, in part, by the impending departure of Lt. Anthony Bean Burpee, who will soon leave his post to assume duties as chief of the Gilford, N.H. police department. Bean Burpee is one of two lieutenants currently working in a two-tier command structure, with the chief at the top and the two lieutenants comprising the second tier, helping with administration and other command duties.
The new structure will include Chief Bob MacKenzie at the top, followed by the newly-created position of deputy chief, and a lieutenant who will work an “off-shift,” meaning someone with command credentials will be present during most of the department’s operating hours. Currently, all three commanders work the same shift.
The change harks back to a time, years ago now, when the KPD operated under a similar three-tier structure, although at that time, there was a captain rather than a deputy chief.
“I like the term ”˜deputy chief’ over ”˜captain,’ because people know who he is in the department,” said MacKenzie. “With a captain, people weren’t sure where he fell in the command structure.”
The switch will allow the lieutenant to spend more time in the field, he said, which will achieve the goal of increasing the department’s patrol presence without adding extra personnel ”“ which is effectively prohibited by the constrains of the department’s projected budget.
It would also help keep all commanders from being too burdened with paperwork.
“I love to work,” said MacKenzie. “I love my job. But I find myself in the office too much. I love to get out. I will never see the light of day again without another administrator.”
Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said the timing is right for the move.
“The time to make changes is when you have a vacancy,” he said. “It’s easier to switch these things around.”
Bean Burpee has been with the KPD for 16 years, and has been a lieutenant since 2008. Though he’ll miss the community, he said he’s looking forward to the move.
“Being a chief has always been kind of a career goal of mine,” he said on Thursday.
With his youngest son set to graduate from high school, Bean Burpee said the timing was right.
“I was probably initially nervous when I got called back for a second interview,” he said, “but I’m exited.”
Bean Burpee will leave the department on May 31, and take over duties in Gilford on June 2. Until then, he said, it’s business as usual.
In the meantime, there will be things he’ll miss.
“For me,” he said, “it’s the people I work with ”“ not just my co-workers, but the people in the town. I’ll miss working day in and day out with the department.
“The officers in Kennebunk are the best of the best.”
— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 319 or [email protected].
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