After months of uncertainty and repeated recruitment efforts, Winslow City Manager David Coolidge has appointed Lt. Ernest “Ernie” Cano as the city’s new police chief, ending an 11-month stretch without permanent leadership at the Winslow Police Department.
Cano’s appointment comes just days after the Winslow City Council voted to give the city manager authority to hire a police chief without council approval, aligning the position with other department head appointments. Coolidge used that new authority to promote Cano, who officially assumes the role Oct. 20.
The City of Winslow announced the promotion Thursday, noting Cano’s 18 years with the department and nearly three decades of law enforcement experience overall. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bethel University and has led the department as acting chief since November 2024.
Cano is also the husband of Winslow Mayor Birdie Cano. While the council’s recent change removed its approval authority over the hiring of a police chief, the decision to appoint Cano was made solely by City Manager Coolidge under the new process. Before the change, Mayor Cano was removed from discussions involving the selection of a chief of police.
Cano was appointed acting chief following Franklin Caldwell’s departure on Nov. 22 of last year, a move that Coolidge said at the time was intended to maintain stability and continuity.
In interviews over the summer, Coolidge said the city had twice conducted national recruitment efforts for a new chief, both of which ended when finalists withdrew from consideration. “Recruitment of a police chief can be a time-consuming and difficult process to find the right fit for both the candidate and the city,” Coolidge said in May.
In its press release, the city congratulated Cano on his promotion and reaffirmed its commitment to residents. “Serving the citizens of Winslow continues to be our first priority,” the statement read.
