PARIS — Former interim Chief Michael Dailey has been rehired as a full-time officer by the Police Department. His first day will be Monday, March 31.

Dailey’s decision comes almost exactly a year after leaving to join the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. His hire brings the department back to full strength, two months after officer Timothy Libby abruptly stepped down.

Dailey will be coming back on as a full-time patrolman, Chief Michael Madden said. Before Dailey became interim chief in 2012, he was a lieutenant for many years. 

Although he stepped down as a full-time officer, Dailey remained a reserve officer for the town Police Department and applied for the job when it was offered to him earlier this winter.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Dailey said he chose to come back mainly because the schedule will give him more time to spend with his two children. 

Dailey said the past year has been tough, especially because his schedule prevented him volunteering as a baseball coach for his children. 

“It ended up being a perfect fit,” Dailey said. 

When he left last year, Dailey said it was partially because of a desire to further his training and experience in crash reconstruction. On Tuesday, he said he hopes to continue with the work, but “sometimes you sit back and reflect on what’s really important.”

Despite his history of a command presence in the department, Dailey said he did not believe there was any lingering animosity toward him and said there were firm expectations of his role as a patrol officer in the department. 

Madden, also on Tuesday, said he was glad Dailey applied for the position and looks forward to bringing his experience to bear in the department.

pmcguire@sunjournal.com