BRIDGTON — A new police chief will begin his duties this month.

Kevin L. Schofield of Topsham will begin his new position March 31, according to a release from the town of Bridgton.

Schofield will succeed Chief David Lyons, who left in November for a U.S. Department of State job as a negotiator in Afghanistan.

Schofield currently commands the Support Services Division of the Brunswick Police Department. He has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, as well as degrees in criminal justice and business administration.

In the interim before becoming chief, Schofield will attend department meetings and receive briefings on “the key issues that the department and Kevin must address going forward,” Town Manager Mitchell Berkowitz said in the release.

He will spend time with Lt. Peter Madura, who has served as interim chief since Lyons left, and will also meet with selectmen and citizens.

The hiring process took three months, according to the release. The committee that selected Schofield recommended him unanimously.