04/29/2026
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Chief Robert Moulton of the Scarborough Maine Police Department. We are so grateful to the Chief for leading the efforts to create Operation Hope which began as a collaboration between the Scarborough Police Department and Portland Recovery Community Center to assist people who are seeking treatment for a substance use disorder, launching in 2015. The program is still thriving as Pathways of Hope at PRCC and in the past year we have assisted 165 people seeking treatment. Rest in Peace Chief Moulton.
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Retired Police Chief Robert Moulton’s passing yesterday afternoon due to a longtime illness.
Chief Moulton began his career at the Scarborough Police Department in 1977 as a Reserve Police Officer assigned to foot patrol at Higgins Beach, patrolling Prouts Neck and working details at Scarborough Downs and the Beech Ridge Speedway.
In January 1978, he was hired full-time as a Patrol Officer and attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 1979.
During his career, he further served the department as a Youth Aid Officer working with school programs.
He was promoted to Detective in 1981 where he was involved in the creation of the Southern Maine Task Force, composed of investigators from a variety of southern Maine communities.
In 1984, he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant and then eventually became a Detective Sergeant supervising the Detective Bureau.
In 1986, Chief Moulton was promoted to Lieutenant where he became the second in command to Chief Tom Dixon. In this role, he assisted the Chief in all aspects of management and was instrumental in the development of the first computerized records management system for the department. During his time as Lieutenant, he attended the 150th session of the prestigious FBI National Academy in 1987. He later served as the President of the New England Chapter of FBI National Academy graduates in 1995.
In 1994, he was promoted to Captain where he continued to assist the Chief with management of the department, to include keeping track of departmental training and preparing the annual budget.
In April 1999, he became the fourth Chief of Police in the department’s history.
Chief Moulton was highly involved in various boards and associations in his 22 years as Police Chief to include; Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees, Maine Chiefs of Police Association Member, New England Association of Chiefs of Police member, Maine Justice Assistance Council, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) board member, Project Grace board member, Maine School Emergency Preparedness Resource Team board member, Trauma Intervention Programs board member, Family Hope board member and the Health Safety and Security Advisor Team board member.
In 2015, Chief Moulton led the effort to launch Operation Hope, a program that served hundreds of people who struggled with substance use issues. This initiative remained at Scarborough Police Department until 2023, when it transitioned to the Portland Recovery Center.
In 2017, Chief Moulton and retired Fire Chief Mike Thurlow began the effort with town officials to build a new Public Safety Building. After three years of planning and coordination, the new building opened in April 2020.
Chief Moulton served our community for 44 years and was very well respected throughout the State of Maine and beyond for his professionalism, leadership and compassion on many issues affecting policing during his career.
Our thoughts are with Chief Moulton’s family and friends during this difficult time.
