A long line of Lewiston police officers stood in salute Friday afternoon on Park Street as outgoing Chief William Welch was escorted from the station and to his home. The day marked the end of Welch’s 33-year police career and his 11th as chief. Said acting police Chief Michael Bussiere of the ceremony: “I don’t know if we’ve ever done this before. In this case, it’s definitely something we ought to do.” Bussiere noted that over the past three decades Welch has spent more time at the station than anywhere else; more time with his fellow officers than with his own family. Once the ceremony on Park Street ended, another took place on the second floor of the station – the swearing in of Bussiere as acting chief. “I think we have the best police department in the state,” Bussiere said. “And I think we need to keep it that way.”