RANGELEY – Police officer Brian Hughes has left the Rangeley Police Department to explore other opportunities, Chief Dennis Leahy said Monday.

Hughes, whose last day was Sunday, was with the department for more than five years, Leahy said. Hughes was torn about leaving and had given his notice about two weeks ago with the option that he might not leave if his other opportunities didn’t work out, he said.

Leahy and officer Jared Austin will be manning the department and relying on reserve officers to fill in on patrol shifts, Leahy said.

The position is expected to be filled.