NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A nearly 20-year veteran of the Police Department has been named as interim police chief effective Monday, April 10. 

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said on Friday that she has appointed Sgt. Mark Bailey to temporarily replace departed Chief Jason Wood. Lt. Anthony Beverly had stepped into the leadership role last month when Wood was put on administrative leave. 

 

"I have the outmost confidence in Bailey's ability to lead this department to be the best and most professional department it can be," the mayor said in a statement. 

 

"I extend my gratitude to Lt. Anthony Beverly for helping us through this transition. He is a true team player,  a person that serves with respect and dedication to the North Adams community."

 

Bailey started with the force as a reserve patrol officer in December 2004 and was hired as a full-time permanent police officer a year later. In 2013, he was assigned to the Detective Bureau and took on the role of narcotics investigator for the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force.

 

He was appointed acting detective sergeant of the Detective Bureau in 2015 and appointed permanent detective sergeant in 2017. In 2020, he returned to patrol as sergeant supervising third shift.

 

Macksey said Bailey has extensive training and certifications in interviewing and interrogations, sexual assault investigations, fire investigations, tactical deployment of officers and emergency medical services during critical incidents,  and advanced cell phone investigations, as well as death scene investigator training. 

 

Bailey is also an investigator for Internet Crimes Against Children, which is an assignment he will continue as interim chief.

 

The 2000 Drury High graduate obtained his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University in 2004. Bailey also graduated from Aspen University with a master of science in criminal justice with a specialization in law enforcement management.

 

"He comes highly recommended by his peers," said the mayor. "He carries a high ethical standard and he has the utmost respect and care for not only his colleagues but the community he serves.  

 

"Bailey's focus will be to get the new Police Department headquarters operational, work to get policies and procedure updated, improve community engagement with citizens but most importantly making North Adams the safest it can be."