Carr brings 25 years of experience to Paris PD

Photo: A.M. Sheehan

Officer Alan Carr

PARIS — For 25 years, Alan Carr served the Maine State Police and now he is serving the citizens of Paris as their newest officer.

Carr began his career in 1972 with the Freeport police reserves before being hired full-time by Yarmouth Police. He served them for a year and then joined the ranks of the state police.

During his tenure with the state police, Carr has been with Troop A, in York County; Troop B in Androscoggin, Cumberland, and Oxford counties and Troop H – state police headquarters.

He was on road patrol for 15 years and in commercial vehicle enforcement for 13 years, as well as being a firearms instructor for handguns and urban rifles, a certified scuba diver – he was on the state police dive and rescue team, Intoxilyzer® [breathalyzer] certified, motor vehicle autopsy specialist, an inspection mechanic for the state police and a canine trooper for nine years with his partner Jake who died in 1986 of brain cancer.

After serving the state of Maine for 25 years, Carr retired – but not for long.

"It's all I know," he says, explaining why he didn't remain retired.

After retirement he went to work for Mechanic Falls for a year and then became Chief of Police in Bethel where he remained for five years until resigning and returning to Mechanic Falls where he has been until the Paris position opened.

His training runs the gamut – the (then) 12-week municipal academy immediately followed by the 16-week state police academy.

He is also a certified police chaplain serving both the public and fellow law enforcement. As a chaplain he will accompany an officer on a death notice visit to be there for the family and he will assist fellow officers who have experienced traumatic incidents.

"The suicide rate (in law enforcement) is astronomical," said Carr. "And who does a cop trust (to share his feelings)? ... Another cop."

"Officer Carr has many, many years of experience in many different areas," said Paris Police Chief David Verrier. "He has dealt with many situations and dynamics that will benefit us in Paris – including me. He will give us tools to improve our own efficiency. He comes highly recommended."

Verrier noted that Carr's experience dealing with the public is an asset and said his specialized experience with commercial vehicles will really help Paris because it has so many commercial vehicles coming through town.

Carr says he is not looking to advance, but to simply use his training and expertise to serve Paris at least until he gets his kids through school. He has 12-year-old twins. He and his family live in Albany.

In his spare time he lifts weights, hunts and spends a lot of time with his family.