PORTLAND (AP) – A 23-year Portland police veteran has been appointed interim chief to take over for Michael Chitwood, whose resignation from the top post becomes effective next month.

Tim Burton, 46, one of Portland’s two deputy police chiefs, said he will be a candidate for the permanent job as well. The Cheverus High School graduate has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine and a master’s degree in business from Husson College.

City Manager Joe Gray said Monday that Burton has the background and leadership needed to lead the department while the city searches for a permanent police chief. The process could take four or five months, he said.

Chitwood has been Portland chief for 17 years. He is resigning to head a department outside Philadelphia, the city where he grew up.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com

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