Update: Town Hires New Police Chief

UPDATE: 1 p.m., Dec. 3: Town council has voted unanimously to hire Maj. Carl Ritchie to lead the town's police force.

Ritchie takes the helm Jan. 1, 2013. Town Administrator Eric DeMoura selected the new chief and the full town council affirmed the decision during a called meeting Monday.

Ritchie has commanded the town's patrol and investigative divisions most recently. Residents likely won't notice many changes after Chief Harry Sewell retires later this month, Ritchie said.

"We're going to continue in the same direction," said Ritchie, following Monday's vote. "My first order of business is to get plenty of transition time with Chief Sewell."

The original story is as follows:

Town councilmen will meet today with Maj. Carl Ritchie, the lone finalist recommended to replace outgoing Police Chief Harry Sewell.

Ritchie, a 24-year department veteran, is second in command at the town police force. Town Administrator Eric DeMoura said he will recommend Ritchie's appointment during a 12:15 p.m. closed-door meeting.

"There was really no need to search any further," DeMoura said of Ritchie. "He's done practically every job at the police department at one point or another. He lives in and knows the community already. It just makes sense."

Sewell announced last month that he would retire from the department after 22 years on the job. He's stepping down Dec. 31 to take the helm of the Coastal Crisis Chaplancy.

Today's 12:15 p.m. meeting will allow the council the opportunity to ask Ritchie about his plans for the police force, DeMoura said.

After that meeting, which will be closed to the public since it's a personnel matter, DeMoura said he expects the council convene in a brief called meeting to approve Ritchie's appointment.