DIXFIELD – Chuck Beale, a Peru resident who has been serving as a police officer with the Mexico Police Department, will begin full-time work with the Dixfield Police Department on Feb. 1.

Police Chief Richard Pickett said Wednesday that Beale has served as a reserve police officer for his town since July 2002 and was an officer for the Rumford Police Department. Beale will replace Sgt. Mark Dow of Rumford, who had been out on sick leave for several months.

He was offered the position by Pickett following approval by selectmen earlier this month to conduct a direct hire for the position.

Beale must attend the 18-week training program at the Maine Police Academy within a year of his hiring date. He and his children have been active in the Mexico Police Explorers group, a youth organization.

“We’re very pleased that he’s coming to work for a small department,” said Pickett.

Beale joins officers Eric Bernier and Jeff Howe.