Member Spotlight: Gardiner Chief of Police Jim Toman

Gardiner Chief of Police Jim Toman has been a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids since 2003 and is a valued community leader in Maine. Like many members, Chief Toman understands the importance of early investments to get kids on the right track and steer them away from a life of future crime.

In Fall 2016, Chief Toman joined State Rep. Gay Grant at the Gardiner Early Learning Center to see the results of high-quality early childhood education firsthand. Chief Toman enjoyed meeting the children and decided to join them for recess! Since the Chief’s visit, the Center has gotten a weekly visit from an officer of the Gardiner Police Department to join the students in whatever activity is taking place. These visits are building positive relationships with the police department and future leaders of the Gardiner community.

Chief Toman and Rep. Grant read “Police Officers on Patrol” to students at the Gardiner Early Learning Center.

Chief Toman also speaks up for Maine’s children outside the classroom, in Augusta. Chief Toman represents the Maine Chiefs of Police Association on the Right From the Start Coalition, which works to ensure that all children in Maine have access to high-quality programs to give them the right start in life.