Framingham Town Manager to Present Plan to Replace Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief Next Week

Last week, Framingham Police Chief Steven Carl was offered and accepted the Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police at Assumption College. Also last week, Framingham Deputy Police Chief Craig Davis was offered and accepted the Chief of Police position in neighboring Ashland.

Monday, Framingham Town Manager Robert Halpin, back from vacation, said he has begun the process to hire replacements for the two police department positions. He said he will present a plan to Selectmen next Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Under the town's charter, the Town Manager hires department heads, but four positions require the approval of the Framingham Board of Selectmen. Those positions are Police Chief, Fire Chief, Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Director.

Halpin said he met with Carl Monday morning. Carl is slated to start his new position on October 2. Davis could start in early October as well. 

"Both will be missed," said Halpin Monday afternoon. 

"The Chief deserves a lot of credit for creating a department, that is recognized a a high-performing and high-functioning department," said Halpin. "The Chief has built a tremendous team and I want to assure the public that the department is in capable hands ... and will maintain its high level of professionalism."

The Framingham Police Department is run by a chief and three deputy chiefs. The two other deputy police chiefs are Ken Ferguson and Steven Trask.

Halpin said he is not sure yet if he will name an interim or an acting chief, during the search process. He said he did meet with the human resource director Monday, too. 

Framingham Selectmen Chair Dennis Giombetti said while the Framingham Police Department is losing two of its best, he believes there is a lot of well-trained, talented officers in the department.

Giombetti said Framingham is known for its professional, well-trained department and that is why the communities of Sherborn, Stoughton and now Ashland have pulled from Framingham to name its new police chiefs.

Davis was Framingham Patch's choice for the man who made a difference in 2010. He was one of two finalists for the Ashland Chief position with New York City Police Lt. Richard Rudolph. Ashland's Police Chief Scott Rohmer was put on paid administrative leave in April.