Rockport Police Chief resigns, plans to pursue new challenges

Tue, 05/24/2016 - 6:30am

    ROCKPORT — Longtime Rockport Police Chief Mark Kelley is stepping down from his post this coming July.

    “It’s been a good 30 years,” said the chief. “I am looking at other possibilities. It’s a change in career path. I would like to continue in law enforcement for a bit longer, because I still have a lot of to contribute. In the meantime, I am going to take the summer off, travel around on my motorcycle, and and enjoy the time.”

    Kelley has been involved with the community of Rockport for decades and not an unfamiliar face, as he makes it a point to stop by regularly at local spots. He is as apt to pitch in and bus tables at a busy restaurant, or speed over to neighboring Camden in off-duty jeans to lend a hand when a Rite Aid robbery is underway, as he is to argue for a pay raise for his officers before the town’s budget committee.

    “Contrary to popular belief, and what might be circulating, I’m not going away,” said Kelley. “I’m going to stay and be involved with the town.”

    He is scheduling his departure for July 1.

    “I’m very appreciative of the town,” said the Lubec native, who holds a dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada. He is of Maine and the Maritimes, Grand Manan, in particular; but, he has been in the Midcoast since July 1982.

    He began his career as a U.S. Army Military Police Officer, working with canines. He served in Hawaii before returning to Washington County, in 1979, where he was a Sheriff’s deputy for several years. He then became a Camden Police Department officer in 1982, did a stint with the U.S. border patrol south of San Diego, and then returned to the Midcoast to join the Rockport Police Department in 1986.

    In May 1997, he became chief of that department, serving in that capacity ever since.

    Currently, there are four fulltime officers in the Rockport Police Department — Sgt. Travis Ford, and officers Dana Smith, Jim Moore and Robbie Shaw. Craig Cooley is the department’s administrative assistant.

    “I’m going to get out of law enforcement for a bit, and may get back into it later, in some fashion,” said Kelley. 

    First, though, he is going to climb onto his BMW motorcycle and travel for three weeks around the U.S. with a group of fellow biker friends.

    The Rockport Select Board is likely to hear of Kelley’s departure this evening, when it convenes for a regularly scheduled meeting. 

    “Chief Kelley has given more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Town of Rockport,” said Town Manager Rick Bates, in a written statement. “He started out as a police officer and was promoted to Captain after the retirement of the previous chief in 1996. He was promoted to chief  year later, a position he has held since that time.

    “He is well liked and a respected member of the community and  has always been known as a very approachable chief, who was out on the road  and interacting with the public.

    “He will be missed by the community.” 


     

    Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657