Lenox town officials hire new police chief

LENOX, Mass. (NEWS10)– The town of Lenox has hired a new police chief. According to the town, Mark Smith will assume the position in November, after the retirement of current chief Stephen O’Brien.

Smith is the current Chief of the North Brookfield, Massachusetts Police Department, where he has been chief for nearly 10 years. His law enforcement career, though, stems nearly 30 years.

According to Town Manager Jay Green, Chief Smith began his career in 1995 as a patrol officer and quickly moved through the rankings. He served as a detective, a school resource officer, developed the town of Granby’s canine program and implemented a Citizen’s Police Academy.

“Chief Smith brings substantial experience, education and familiarity with municipal law enforcement in Massachusetts to the Lenox Police Department,” 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.”

Green said the search for a new chief was determined through a screening committee, with Chief O’Brien as an advisor for the Committee. Applicants who met the town’s minimum requirements, which included a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, 10 years of law enforcement experience and five years of supervisory experience, were interviewed.

Green said four candidates were interviewed and two were then invited to a second round. Ultimately, the committee and O’Brien thought Chief Smith was the right person for the job.

“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,” Green said.

The town’s select board is expected to appoint Green on October 8, and he will then assume his duties in late November. According to Green, the town’s current chief of police has served the town for nearly 32 years and became chief in 2005.

“Chief O’Brien has been a well-respected member of the Berkshire County Law Enforcement community and will be missed by many in Lenox,” Green said. “In my time as Town Manager, I have enjoyed working with Chief O’Brien and if there is one accomplishment that perhaps should be noted is that he advocated for a state-of-the-art public safety complex to serve our community and participated in the design of that building – we will commission that building this November.”