By Mark LaFlamme,Staff Writer

AUBURN – Police Chief Richard Small retired Friday, ending a police career that spanned more than a quarter century.

No reason for the sudden departure was given. Deputy Chief Phil Crowell was named as interim chief by City Manager Pat Finnigan, although Small’s retirement is not official until June 30.

“This is something he has been talking about for more than a year,” Crowell said of Small’s decision to leave the department. “He has put in his time.”

Small has been chief in Auburn since 1999, when he replaced Robert Tiner. Previously, Small served for nearly 27 years as a patrol officer, drug agent and deputy police chief.

Small could not be reached for comment Friday night.

Small joined the police force in 1979 and quickly climbed through the ranks. He became a detective in 1986 and spent two years as an undercover officer with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

He was promoted to sergeant shortly after returning from the MDEA. He was also deputized as a U.S. marshal investigating criminal activities in other states.

In recent years, Small and his department became the focus of public scrutiny after the high-profile arrest of the mayor in August 2003.

Mayor Norman Guay was ultimately cleared of the charge against him, but the arrest resulted in weeks of intense scrutiny from the media. The arrest also shed light on a dispute between the police union and city officials.

In the aftermath, Small disciplined some of his officers for their handling of the incident, as well as other issues.

Reached at home Friday night, Guay said he had not been told that Small had announced his retirement. Finnigan could not be reached for comment.

Crowell is expected to immediately start his duties as interim chief, but it remained unknown Friday night who will ultimately replace Small.

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