After a decade leading the Clinton Police Department, Stanley “Rusty” Bell has stepped down as police chief and taken on a new role as the department’s chaplain.
Bell became known for his community-first approach, often responding to calls in plain clothes, offering hugs to people in crisis, and emphasizing compassion over formality. In one of the most notable examples, Bell said he hugged a man he had known since childhood after arresting him in connection with a fatal Waterville shooting in 2024.
“I wanted him to know he was still a human being,” Bell said.
Bell also gained attention for the department’s humorous Facebook page and for publicly sharing his personal cellphone number after two Clinton residents died by suicide, encouraging anyone in need to reach out.
Now serving as chaplain, Bell will mentor officers, help them process traumatic calls, and provide support to the fire department and community. He plans to complete Maine’s certified police chaplain program this fall but has already begun the job.
Bell said residents will still see him around town, offering guidance and support, though he has given up his police certification so he can focus entirely on helping others.
Former Lt. Roger Smith officially succeeds Bell as police chief. Smith, who has served with the department for nine years and has experience as a firefighter, EMT, corrections officer, and law enforcement supervisor, said he hopes to build on Bell’s community-focused legacy while bringing his own leadership style.
Smith plans to increase the department’s visibility through proactive policing and says he wants to remain accessible to residents at all hours, just as Bell was.
As for contacting Bell, he joked that most people already know how.
“Everybody has Rusty’s number,” Bell said. “And if they don’t, they know somebody that does.”
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