Police Chief Parent Works 'Round Clock

Conrad (Mike) Parent estimates that, at 21, he is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, of Maine's police chiefs. Parent believes his youth gives him an advantage in working with young people, however, and in the few weeks since he assumed his post here, he has gone out of his way to become acquainted with the town's teenagers and youngsters.

"I encourage kids to ride in the car with me and see what I do." Parent remarked. "I started by riding around in a car with the police," he added.

Parent began his law enforcement career about a year and a half ago in Limestone, where he was in the police reserves. From there he went to Mt. Desert Island, where he worked for a summer and where he was shot during a drug raid. His next stop was Hartford, Conn., where he was employed by the United Detective Service in North Hartford. He received defense training while in Hartford and earned a brown bell in karate.

Parent then returned to Limestone and rejoined the police reserves where he remained until he was hired by Washburn as police chief and the town's only law enforcement officer. He noted that the incidence of speeding in the town has decreased since his arrival.

"The people know I'm out there," he said. He also plans to curb speeding in Crouseville, from which he has received a number of complaints.

Parent encourages people to talk to him about their problems, no matter what they are.

"If I can't help, I can find someone else who can," he said. He hopes to work with the various social services available in Central Aroostook.

He would like to get another law enforcement officer for the town and plans to ask for a sheriff's deputy to assist him on those occasions, such as high school graduation and Halloween, when there is a lot of activity in the town at night.

Parent not only works late at night, he also has had an extension of his office phone installed in his nearby home so that he can be reached at any hour.

Parent has been married about five weeks to a Connecticut girl, the former Betty Durpo, and he and his bride have taken up residence in the Richard Farley apartment building on Main Street.

Conrad (Mike) Parent, Washburn Police Chief