NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mark Bailey wanted a simple swearing in as the city's police chief. Family, some colleagues and staff. 

 

"This is as small as I get," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey to the room full of officers, staff, family members, other city employees and press in the police station's meeting room. 

 

Bailey, a sergeant, stepped in two years ago as interim when the former police chief was let go. On Tuesday, he took the position permanently. 

 

Both he and the mayor said the interim length was a matter of timing — there was a police contract being negotiated and Bailey was weighing whether he wanted to continue in the job.

 

"I didn't want any cloud over Mark's appointment," said the mayor, who added she didn't want to dwell on the past. "And then we were in the midst of negotiating the police contract, and I wanted to ensure that he got all the benefits that everyone else did."

 

Bailey will get $115,000 in the first year of a three-year contract. 

 

"He's done some really transformative things within the department, from body cams to additional grant writing to additional training of the force, and the force in general," said Macksey. "And he's the right guy. I really support promoting people through the ranks, and he's a true testament of that."