Police chef addresses PROBUS Club
The PROBUS Club of Aroostook met Aug. 18, 2016 at NMCC, Reed Commons with 13 members present.
The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by the President, Thomas Lunn. The opening song was “This is my Father’s World” accompanied by Marion Gilman on the piano.
Dana Crory, program chairperson, introduced the special guest, Presque Isle Police Chief Matt Irwin. He worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s office in Orlando, Florida for 27 years before arriving at the PIPD. During his time at Orange County, he worked in various capacities through the rank of lieutenant in the following sections: corrections, patrol, narcotics, sex crimes squad, child abuse squad, internal affairs, domestic violence squad, missing persons squad, sex offender surveillance squad, victim advocate squad, and accreditation.
Chief Irwin has served on the board of directors for The Victim Service Center of Orange County; the board of directors for Harbor House, the domestic violence shelter in Orange County and has served locally on the board of directors for the Homeless Services of Aroostook and Presque Isle Rotary. He has served on committees and groups such as the Child Fatality Review Board (Orlando, FL); Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team; Child Abduction Response Team (Central FL Region) and the steering committee and outcomes committee for the Child Protection Team (Orlando).
Chief Irwin has worked as the Presque Isle Police Chief since April of 2011.
The police department receives approximately 23,000 calls a year. Because of the law the airport is also part of their duty. Due to the new system for dispatchers the required various organizations can be informed efficiently. Aroostook County has a large geographic area. Child abuse is difficult to determine and training is necessary to get to the cause, it could be inflicted or just an accident. Drugs are now prevalent in this area and require more time in protecting our citizens. The Presque Isle Police Department works closely with State Police, Sheriff’s Department and other agencies. They have an excellent report with them.
Janet Snow gave words of wisdom by Alissa de Wit-Paul, New York “Am I a Hick?” from Mary Jane’s Farm paper.
