Chris Todd (GHS ’95) was one of those lucky kids who knew at an early age what he wanted to be when he grew up. Spurred by positive interactions he had with local Gorham Police, Todd aspired to be a policeman. He said, “I got to know a lot of the Gorham cops as a kid (in a GOOD way, not a BAD way!). Pooch, Coffin, Remick, John Reed; they were a good group of guys who really glorified the profession for me.”

They must have been inspiring role models because over the course of Todd’s 21 year career in law enforcement, he was named the South Portland Police Officer of the Year in 2008 and again in 2010. He has served as Vice President (one of four statewide) for the Maine Association of Police (MAP) since 2012. He received a Life Saving Award at the annual MAP banquet for his role in rescuing a 10 year old boy and his mother who were near death due to a carbon monoxide leak in their home. He has also been recognized with unit commendations and meritorious service awards for his role in solving bank robberies, aggravated assaults, and other crimes. It’s all in a day’s work for this dedicated police officer.

In every city and town, 24/7, 365 days a year, police officers perform a variety of vital services that help make their communities safer. They risk their lives in situations none of us can fully understand or appreciate. Author Thomas Hauser said, “Being a police officer is one of the most difficult, dangerous, idealistic jobs in the world.” It seems that being a member of the Thin Blue Line is more dangerous than ever before with police being targeted by people with a grudge or a suicide wish.

After graduation from GHS, Todd attended Southern Maine Community College and earned an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. While trying to decide whether to continue on to earn a bachelor’s degree, he landed his first law enforcement job in 1997, when he was hired by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer. During this time, he received 200 hours of Maine Criminal Justice Academy certified training. During the three years at this job, he worked as a pod officer, intake officer and classification officer.

In 2000, Todd was hired by the South Portland Police Department and graduated from the 12 week Municipal County Basic Police School in December of that year. He worked as a patrol officer for 10 years, manning various shifts. In 2010, he was assigned to the detective bureau with investigation and case work in more serious felonies such as burglaries, thefts, and aggravated assaults.

In 2014 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and in May of 2017, he was assigned to his current position of Detective Sergeant, reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of Police. He has eight staff members under his span of control: four case detectives, two task force officers, the court officer, and the evidence technician.

Todd enjoys being involved in “case work” again and making use of his passion and skills to build a case and his knowledge of the legal system to prepare cases for court. Todd said, “I am a people person and can develop a rapport and talk with almost anyone about anything. These qualities are helpful in my role as a detective and in my supervisory capacity as well.”

Todd says that one of the most challenging aspects of his job is the schedule which is especially difficult if you have a family. He said, “Evenings. Nights. Weekends. Holidays. Birthdays. Sporting events. School concerts. We don’t ever close.” He added, “It is not uncommon for my phone to ring in the middle of dinner with my family, at 2 a.m. while I’m sleeping, or on my days off when I’m with the wife and kids at Funtown.” He said that he answers 99.9% of the time no matter what he is doing, or else he calls right back. Arriving late or having to cancel family plans or personal events for the sake of “the job” is common.

Todd feels that the Gorham School system gave him a great start. “I got a first rate education and made many friends for life in my graduating class,” he said. Todd loved the “small town” of growing up in Gorham where everyone knew everyone.

In his (limited) spare time, Todd enjoys spending time with his family, going to the lake or taking weekend trips to North Conway. He also coaches his son’s baseball team.

For those who would like to get in touch, Todd has included his work email and phone number: christo@southportland.org or 799-5511, Ext 7448.