RANGELEY – A retired Philadelphia police lieutenant who’s now an Oquossoc resident has been hired as interim police chief to replace Phil Weymouth, who has taken a job as chief of the Fryeburg Police Department.

Interim Chief Dennis Leahy, 52, has worked as a reserve officer under Weymouth since November 2006.

The 30-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, which has 6,500 police officers, retired from that force in June 2006 and moved to Oquossoc Village.

Leahy and his wife of 30 years, Jo Anne, had a summer home in the village while living in the Philadelphia area.

“After I retired I decided I wasn’t ready to give it up yet, basically that’s why I’m here,” Leahy said Monday.

He was a third-generation Philadelphia law enforcer and believes that’s what attracted him to police work.

“I got into it probably because I grew up in a police family,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always been interested in.”

Rangeley Town Manager Perry Ellsworth said Leahy will serve as interim chief until selectmen give him permission to post the job and fill it.

“I’m supporting a full-time police chief,” Ellsworth said.

Weymouth is going to be around until Sept. 14, but will be taking some vacation during that time.

Ellsworth said Leahy began working with Weymouth as interim chief Monday.

He will be paid $850 a week and will receive holiday benefits.

Leahy is not taking health insurance through the town, Ellsworth said.

Weymouth was being paid about $47,000 from the town, Ellsworth said, and Leahy’s salary is equivalent to $42,200 a year.

“Dennis knows our business. He’s been a police officer here. He has 30 years experience. He started as a patrolman and worked his way up through. I look forward to working with him,” Ellsworth said.

The Leahys have two grown children, Kristin of Virginia and Dr. Ian Leahy of Delaware.