When Shane Smith takes over as chief of the Belmont Police Department next week, he won’t arrive as a stranger to town.
The longtime member of the Salem Police Department in New Hampshire has been to Belmont many times, with one of his best friends in the community and his son attending Boston College’s Newton campus. He’s familiar with the coffee shops in town, including Bellmont Caffe, and when looking at the job application, he appreciated the town’s proximity to his family and life in New Hampshire.
“All those things factored in [to his interest in the position],” said Smith.
He begins his new role on May 4.
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Smith, who has served in the Salem, New Hampshire, Police Department for just over 24 years, graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. Later, he earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Oklahoma. He has also served as a use-of-force instructor and was part of the SWAT unit for a New Hampshire-based team similar to the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council. He received training from the FBI National Academy Associates in Quantico, Virginia.
Smith, who climbed the department ranks, has been the deputy chief in Salem for about six years.
“I think being in the current agency, I am … There aren’t many things I haven’t seen,” he said.
When he arrives next week, Smith’s plan is to begin an inventory of the department to find out what’s working and what’s not. That includes meeting with every officer and employee, as well as the dispatchers. He also plans to meet with community stakeholders, including elected officials.
“From there, once I have all that information, I’d like to develop a strategic plan and let everyone in the police department and the community know where we’re going,” he said.
Smith added that the department is in the middle of its accreditation process.
“We’re going to push forward to get accredited,” he said.
One change that could potentially come to the department is the introduction of body-worn cameras, though he noted that would be a discussion for him to have with the Select Board. He also emphasized the cost associated with the technology.
“In Salem, we have them, and they have been fantastic,” Smith said. “I think it’s a great tool, but there’s a big cost factor. … I think it’s worth the cost.”
But before any of that, Smith wants to get to know his staff.
“I think that’s super important,” he said. “I also need to learn the culture of the Police Department. … I’ve been down a couple times, and it’s been really positive.”
Smith is married with three children. Per the terms of his contract, signed by the Select Board in March, he will be expected to move within 15 miles of Belmont by summer 2027.
The search for a new police chief followed the August resignation of Police Chief James MacIsaac, who had been with the department in various roles since 1990. The Select Board appointed then-Assistant Police Chief Mark Hurley as the interim chief. Hurley’s appointment was effective Aug. 25.
In October, John Parow of John Parow Consulting & Associates was selected from the two bids the town received. The Select Board agreed to a $11,800 contract, making Parow’s firm the low bidder. The one competitor, Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI), submitted a $13,700 bid.
Six people representing Belmont’s different demographics, plus an area police chief, were named late last year to serve on the screening committee.
Smith was chosen from a field of 19 applicants, three of whom were named finalists. All three were interviewed by the board on Friday, Feb. 20.
Smith plans to attend the annual Town Meeting on Monday to introduce himself. He said, as someone “from the outside,” he’s prepared to put his relationship-building skills to work.
“Relationship building is something I do really well, too,” he said. “That’s probably not on my resume. I’m going to have no problem doing that. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in the community and meeting all the police officers.”