BAR HARBOR – A former police dispatcher allegedly has stolen more than $3,000 from the Bar Harbor Police Association’s general fund, Police Chief Nate Young said Friday.

Theft of the money occurred over the last four years and was discovered in early December, according to the chief.

“It’s unfortunate this has happened and we look forward to putting it behind us,” Young said.

The theft is being investigated by a state police detective.

The police association, which is not municipally affiliated, is composed of all full-time members of the department except the chief.

Money for its general fund is raised through donations from private individuals and from revenues from station vending machines. The funds are used for station expenditures that are not covered in the municipal budget.

“We sometimes buy exercise equipment or flowers for sick employees,” Sgt. David Kerns said.

Young would not comment about when or why the former dispatcher left the Police Department.