City names new police chief

For the first time since February, Odessa Police Department officers can say they have a chief.

Andrea Goodson, City of Odessa public information officer, said Friday that Timothy Burton, 48, from Portland, Maine, was offered the police chief job by City Manager Richard Morton and accepted the position sometime this week.

Goodson said, "Burton said he's excited to call Odessa his new home" and is "looking forward to serving the citizens of Odessa."

Burton, in a phone interview, said he wanted to move to Odessa after meeting numerous West Texans.

"The people I met are courteous and polite," he said. "I thought that was unique and wonderful."

The new chief also said he was also excited because Odessa's "a growing community."

Morton said Burton would begin his new job on Aug. 31.

Morton said there were many qualified candidates but Burton was the most qualified for the chief position.

"He's a very intelligent chief and has 28 years of experience," Morton said. "His department is the same size as our department also."

Morton said city officials in Portland, Maine, gave positive reviews of Burton.

"I talked to city leaders and they didn't have a bad thing to say about Tim," he said. "They even made a last ditch effort to get him to stay so that told me a lot."

Morton said Burton would make $105,000 a year.

Odessa Mayor Larry Melton said late Friday that he was "thrilled" to have a chief hired.

"I've not had the opportunity to meet Mr. Burton," Melton said. "I have seen his resume, and it's a very impressive resume."

Melton also expressed confidence in Morton and the hiring process, saying he had full faith in Morton's ability to hire someone who will do a good job. 

A May 21 story in The Forecaster newspaper in Portland, Maine, stated Burton has been the Portland police chief since November 2005. He served as deputy chief for the department for seven years under former chief Mike Chitwood.

Burton said he doesn't have a plan going into the new job.

"The thing that's most important is to evaluate the structure of the department before I decide if I'll make any changes," he said.

Burton also served as commander of the Special Reactions Team and deputy chief of the Bureau of Investigations. Goodson said Burton has a master's degree in business from Husson College and a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine.

Morton has been searching for the next police chief since Chris Pipes retired Feb. 15.

Pipes retired after 25 years with the police department.

The other six finalists included Odessa captains Chuck Moad and Jack White, Midland police lieutenant Jeffery Lynn Darr, former College Station Police Chief Michael Clancey, Allen Police Chief William Rushing and Firestone, Colo., Police Chief David Montgomery.

Morton said the two OPD captains were "very good candidates" but "didn't have chief experience."

About new police chief Timothy Burton:

>> Burton was born and raised in Portland, Maine's west end and attended Cheverus High School in the city.

>> Received a master's degree in business from Husson College.

>> Received a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine.

>> Has been the Portland, Maine, police chief since November 2005.

>> Has 28 years of law enforcement experience.

>> His wife, Alison, is an attorney.

>> Has a son attending law school, a daughter who's entering her senior year of high school and a 3-year-old son.

Information according to City of Odessa public information officer Andrea Goodson and The Forecaster newspaper