PARIS — The Police Department is looking to hire a new school resource officer to replace Sgt. Harltey “Skip” Mowatt.

The sworn law enforcement officer is assigned as a liaison between SAD 17 and police to create a safer environment for students and staff.

Primarily assigned to the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris, the detail includes some work at the Oxford Hills Middle School in Paris and area elementary schools.

Though school officers have the power to make arrests and respond to emergency calls, they often act as a mentor for troubled students. That, according to SAD 17 Superintendent Rick Colpitts, has been Mowatt’s great strength. 

“Skip has been phenomenal, creating great relationships between the school and the Police Department,” Colpitts said.  

Mowatt will be reassigned to a new position overseeing junior members of the department. He is a 23-year veteran and has worked with the schools since 2007. 

In June, Paris town officials dedicated the annual Town Report to Mowatt, praising him for his leadership during several transitional periods within the department. 

Candidates for the position must be approved by the Police Department and school district, according to Colpitts.

The school district reimburses Paris up to $40,000 for the position, and salary for the full-time position will depend upon experience and certifications, Paris police Chief Michael Madden said Wednesday.

To date, the department has received six applications from local candidates.

The department has seven full-time and seven part-time officers.

Madden said it would be ideal to have eight active and eight reserve officers, a number he said would provide adequate coverage given the town’s size and call volume. 

“It varies mostly winter to summer; summer is a lot busier, but we can handle two dozen calls a day.”