Lenox Names New Police Chief
LENOX, Mass. — The Town of Lenox has hired 30-year Massachusetts law enforcement veteran Mark L. Smith, currently the Chief of the North Brookfield Massachusetts Police Department, to be the next Lenox Police Chief upon the retirement of Chief Stephen E. O'Brien.
Chief Smith holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University. He is an FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA) Trilogy Award recipient, having successfully completed LEEDA's Trilogy Series of leadership training comprising the Supervisor Leadership, Command Leadership and
Executive Leadership Institutes.
These programs provide comprehensive leadership education for law enforcement professionals. Chief Smith belongs to various regional professional associations including the Massachusetts and International Chiefs of Police Association. From 1998 through 2017, Chief Smith was the program manager and training coordinator with the Western Massachusetts Reserve Intermittent Police Academy, where many entry level police officers began their training across the four Western Massachusetts counties.
Chief Smith began his law enforcement career with the Town of Granby in 1995 as a patrol officer, eventually earning the rank of Sergeant in 2006. While serving Granby, Chief Smith worked as a Detective and School Resource Officer. Chief Smith developed and managed the Town's canine program, various grant programs, supervised patrol officers and commissioned a new police station. He also implemented a Citizen's Police Academy and held officer roles within the local police officer's collective bargaining unit.
Chief Smith has 11 years of experience as a municipal police chief. For the past 10 years, he has been the Chief of Police for North Brookfield, developing and managing budgets, capital requests, grants, collective bargaining agreements and focusing on officer wellness, recruitment and retention. He also served as Chief of the Hinsdale Police Department from 2014-2015.
"Chief Smith brings substantial experience, education and familiarity with municipal law enforcement in Massachusetts to the Lenox Police Department," Town Manager Jay Green said. "He will be a resource for our officers and an asset to our Town. His experience as a veteran Chief of a small-town police department will allow for a smooth transition of leadership."
The search for the Town's next police chief kicked off with the formation of a Screening Committee that was made up of Town Manager Jay Green, Human Resources Director Lyndsay Patenaude, Selectboard members Dave Roche and Marybeth Mitts and retired Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn and retired Massachusetts State Police Detective Lieutenant Ed Culver. Chief O'Brien served as an advisor to both Green and the Committee during the process.
The Screening Committee sought applicants who met the Town's minimum requirements which included a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, 10 years of law enforcement experience and 5 years of supervisory experience. Four candidates were offered the opportunity to interview with the screening committee whose experience demonstrated relevant administrative, leadership, and management roles. Two candidates were then invited to a second round which included touring the existing police station, the new Public Safety Complex, a "meet and greet" with Town Department Heads and an opportunity to speak with members of the Lenox Police Department, Chief O'Brien and a final conversation with the Screening Committee.
"I would like to thank members of the screening committee, Chief O'Brien, our Town staff and LPD officers who took time to provide valuable feedback during the selection process. We had a talented pool of candidates and it was a difficult decision, but we are confident that Chief Smith is right person to lead the Lenox Police Department in its next chapter," added Green.
Chief Smith is anticipated to assume his duties in late November and the Selectboard is anticipated to ratify Green's appointment of Smith on or about Oct. 8.
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