FRYEBURG – Police Chief Wayne Brooking notified interim Town Manager Martin Krauter that he intends to retire. His last work day will be June 4.

The 45-year-old chief recently highlighted a few key accomplishments during his nearly 14-year tenure in Fryeburg including expanded river patrols on the Saco River and an in-house training program for major investigations.

In 1999, Brooking took a year leave of absence to work for the United Nations as an international police officer in Kosovo. In 2007, he applied for a leave of absence to be a police officer in Afghanistan, but his application was denied by the town.

When asked why he wanted to go to Afghanistan, he said, “It is a way I feel that I could serve my country. I am not at the age to enlist so I feel this would be a way to serve.”

Named chief in 2005, the 24-year law enforcement veteran said he is looking into some new opportunities, both public and private.

He said he hoped his replacement in the five-full-time-and-six-reserve-officer department would continue to focus on Saco River issues. He also suggested there be “more involvement in handling crime with the juvenile issues in finding ways to combat it. There isn’t enough manpower to handle it.”