When a public servant excels at their job, they deserve public recognition. Therefore, I would like to commend the job performance of Scarborough’s chief of police, Mark Holmquist.

I am a longtime resident of Scarborough. My family first moved here in 1652 when Scarborough was still Black Point and Maine was still the Province of Lygonia. I’ve raised three boys here, so I’ve had my share of run-ins with Scarborough police. That’s how I know there’s a new sheriff in town … and he’s a keeper.

Chief Holmquist has been on the job about four years and during that time life in Scarborough has become “the way life should be.” Today, when we are stopped by a patrol officer in Scarborough, we are greeted by a friendly face. And behind that face is a genuine concern for our welfare. At first, I thought it was just one or two officers. But then, every officer I met was the epitome of concerned professionalism: “Do you need any assistance?” “How may I help?”

What has struck me most is how polite each officer has been.

I plan to write Chief Holmquist and commend the individual officers who have been kind and helpful to my family and me recently. But, the person most deserving of recognition — the person most responsible for the transformation of the Scarborough Police Department into a community-friendly police force — is its chief. I thank Chief Holmquist.

Erwin Rupert
Scarborough