Jeff Goss will serve as the interim police chief for the Sabattus Police Department as the town considers it options for policing following years of high staff turnover.

Goss retired last summer as chief of the Mechanic Falls Police Department.

Goss “brings many years of leadership experience,” according to a news release issued Friday by the town. “We welcome him to Sabattus and look forward to working with him during this transition.”

Goss started Feb. 17. He replaces Dave Lyons, who submitted his resignation effective Feb. 9 after only about two months on the job.

Elected officials are considering several options to continue policing in the town, including rebuilding the department, contracting with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, and partnering with Lisbon Police Department, according to the news release.

The Sheriff’s Office provides a school resource officer for Regional School Unit 4, the release said.

“The Selectboard and the Town Manager want to assure all residents that your safety and well-being remain our highest priorities,” the release said. “We are committed to maintaining public trust and ensuring a reliable, professional policing presence in our community.

“We recognize that the police department has faced significant instability, with five Chiefs and multiple officers serving over the past five years. We understand the impact this has had on both our officers and the community. Addressing these issues is essential to restoring confidence and ensuring long term stability in our public safety services.”

The town will continue to advertise and recruit for the police chief and officer positions in the meantime, according to the news release.

Many communities are struggling to find qualified police officers, indicating that Sabattus is not an outlier with this issue, the town said.

“Fewer individuals are entering the law enforcement profession, making recruitment increasingly difficult for towns of all sizes,” the release said. “These realities underscore the importance of exploring sustainable, long term solutions for our community’s public safety needs.”

Residents are encouraged to participate in discussions around future policing in town. The Select Board will discuss the issue at its next meeting March 3, the release said.

The town will also likely hold a special town meeting in early April to present findings and determine the best path forward.