Bruce has forty-one years of experience in the Law Enforcement field. He started his career in 1977 with the Brunswick Police Department as a patrol officer. Over the next 23 years, Bruce rose through the ranks of the Brunswick Police Department to the position of Commander of the Support Services Division. Bruce retired at this rank in 2000.
After retiring he became the Director of Safety and Security at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. This role oversaw the campus security function, parking management, emergency communication center, museum security, emergency management and environmental health and safety.
In 2005 the position of Chief of Police in Rockland, Maine became available and Bruce was fortunate enough to achieve this prestigious position. Bruce managed a police department for a city of 7900 residents with a daytime population as high as 30,000 because of the location as a county seat and the major service center for the mid-coast region. He directed a staff of 16 sworn officers, 3 civilians, planned and managed a budget of $1.9 million.
Additionally, he was responsible for formulating all policies, rules and procedures, planning, organization, staffing, labor relations, and workplace safety among others. During his time at all three locations of employment, he oversaw the development and implementation of numerous community policing and campus safety and security programs. During his tenure at these employment opportunities, Bruce authored, administered, and managed numerous grants to include grants within the public and private sectors.