Portland announces next police chief

A police chief from Massachusetts has been selected to lead the Portland Police Department.

Mark Dubois has been nominated by City Manager Danielle West to be the next Portland police chief. Courtesy City of Portland

City Manager Danielle West announced Friday that she has chosen Mark Dubois, the current police chief in Braintree, as Portland’s next police chief. The City Council will vote on the appointment Monday.

If confirmed by the council, Dubois would start work in Portland on July 31 and earn $165,000 annually.

“I’m excited to have Mark join the Portland Police Department and our city leadership team,” West said in a statement. “Mark has demonstrated a commitment to instilling trust, spurring collaboration, and communicating and working with diverse communities. He has a deep understanding of the law and a passion for contributing to the advancement of his profession. I’d like to thank the city staff and community leaders who provided me with invaluable feedback during my decision-making process.”

The city launched the search for a new chief in February. Interim Police Chief F. Heath Gorham, who is retiring at the end of the month, has been serving in the role temporarily since November 2021 following the resignation of Frank Clark, who took a job in private security.

Clark was earning a salary of $136,000 at the time of his departure, while Gorham earned $140,000. Gorham said he did not apply for the permanent position.

On Thursday, the city announced that Robert Martin will replace Gorham as interim chief. Martin, a 37-year veteran of the department, had been serving as interim assistant chief.

The police chief is one of the top jobs in city government, reporting directly to the city manager and responsible for nearly 200 employees plus an additional 36 at the regional communications and dispatch center.

Dubois has been police chief in Braintree since 2019 and previously served in the same position in Maynard for seven years. He has worked in Sutton, Northborough, and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates. He also is a reservist in the military, where he serves as a judge advocate.

Dubois holds a Juris Doctor degree from the New England Law School and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State College. He also completed training at the FBI National Academy.

Nearly 300 people responded to a community survey the city put out in December with the search consultant, GovHR USA. Many cited trustworthiness, honesty, and forthrightness as essential characteristics for the next chief. The survey results also showed a preference for a chief that will hold officers accountable to high professional standards and commit to de-escalation techniques.