Susan Nourse knew her audience last Thursday night in the packed Freeport Town Council chambers, and it showed. The town’s interim police chief, hoping to succeed retired Chief Jerry Schofield, kept them at ease with a touch of humor.

And Mark Hagan, patrol commander in neighboring Brunswick and the other finalist for police chief, displayed poise in answering rapid-fire questions from the crowd.

Nourse and Hagan were taking part in an unusual public meet-and-greet, which Town Manager Peter Joseph said will weigh heavily in considering his choice for the job. Joseph expects to make that decision in a week or so, and forward his recommendation to the Town Council, which has final say.

“The goal here tonight is to let you guys learn as much as you can,” Joseph said to the crowd, which spilled out into the hallway.

Hagan addressed the audience first, from 6-7 p.m., followed by Nourse from 7-8. Residents were provided with a comment form for both candidates, and filled in their general observations, as well as their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of each. The forms went into a box, which Joseph is reviewing.

Many people in Freeport never have known any police chief other than Schofield, who held the position since 1988 and joined the department in 1976. Nourse, his lieutenant, has served as acting police chief since Schofield stepped down in March.

Nourse, who has taught music, was greeted by applause as she stepped to the podium.

“I am Susan Nourse and I want to be Freeport’s next police chief,” Nourse opened, to more applause. “Just how does a music teacher become a police officer? Practice, practice, practice.”

Nourse said she has lived in Freeport for more than 30 years. She has been on the police force force 33 years.

“The philosophy I have practiced from the beginning is community policing,” she said.

Nourse’s first question came from a woman who inquired as to the key issues facing the youth of Freeport. Nourse answered that, during a presentation to students, she listened to a man whose son died of an opioid overdose. Nourse said she would do presentations at the high school level.

“They’e worried and concerned just like we are,” she said, “but they’re at a point where impulse sort of takes over. “We need to get a better hold of the Route 1 corridor. It brings in a criminal element.”

Nourse then introduced Officer Matt Moorhouse and his trained police dog Cassie, which recently was certified by the state to assist him in drug searches.

“She did just get her drug certificate, so fair warning,” Nourse joked. “She’s been a great asset. Matthew has worked so hard to get her here. It’s a really heartwarming thing to see her in action.”

Asked whe she wants the job, Nourse went back to her love of the community.

“I’ve made Freeport my home,” she said. “The people that I work with are just great to be with. I don’t have any desire to be anywhere else.”

Hagan also lives in the same town he works in, and has been a member of the Brunswick Police Department for 26 years. Hagan, who handles the department’s public information, as well as its patrol force for Chief Richard Rizzo, also touted his commitment to community policing – something Schofield was known for and a quality Joseph has prioritized during the search process. What are his strengths? one person asked.

“Community policing,” Rizzo answered. “It’s not about how many speeding tickets you write. We’re about helping people.”

Hagan passed out a six-month plan he would have as Freeport police chief, with 18 bullet points.

Darrel Fournier, recently retired fire chief who also is yet to be replaced, asked Hagan to provide examples of when he has worked with multiple departments. Hagan quicky mentioned multi-jurisdictional OUI roadblocks, the Great State of Maine Air Show, and his position as SWAT team commander in Brunswick.

“I know how to work with everybody,” Hagan answered. “I don’t think that’s an issue at all, sir.”

Fournier followed up, asking Hagan what the biggest challenge might be for Freeport police. Hagan said that identification theft is right up there, along with theft in general.

“By checking Freeport’s crime statistics,” he said, “theft is obviously the greatest crime here.”

Marc Hagan, patrol commander in the Brunswick Police Department, addresses the audience during a meet-and-greet last Thursday night at the Freeport Town Hall. Hagan and Susan Nourse, acting police chief in Freeport, are the finalists for the position of police chief.

Marc Hagan, patrol commander in the Brunswick Police Department, addresses the audience during a meet-and-greet last Thursday night at the Freeport Town Hall. Hagan and Susan Nourse, acting police chief in Freeport, are the finalists for the position of police chief.

The crowd at Thursday night’s meet-and-greet with the two finalists for the position of police chief at the Freeport Town Hall gets a kick out of acting Chief Susan Nourse’s opening remarks.

The audience at the Freeport Town Hall last Thursday night listens intently to comments from Susan Nourse, the town’s interim police chief. They were there for a meet-and-greet with Nourse and Marc Hagan of the Brunswick Police Department, the two finalists for the job of Freeport police chief.