ROCKPORT, Maine — The town’s longtime police chief will be stepping down in a little more than a month.
Mark Kelley has turned in his resignation, effective July 1, Town Manager Richard Bates said Monday. He said Kelley wants new challenges.
Kelley has been with the Rockport Police Department for more than 30 years. He started as a patrol officer and was promoted to captain in 1996. A year later, he was named chief, a post he has held for 19 years.
“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,” Bates said.
Kelley could not be reached Monday evening for comment.
His announcement comes five months after the department was involved in a high-speed chase that ended with a crash that killed two young people. The family of one of those killed as well as the sole survivor of the crash have notified the town that they intend to sue.