Framingham Council To Review Mayor's Police Chief Pick

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham City Council on Tuesday will review Mayor Yvonne Spicer's pick for police chief, a position that the Council will ultimately vote to approve.

Last week, Spicer announced that she wants Framingham Deputy Chief Lester Baker to take over for former chief Steven Trask, who retired in June. Baker, 47, would be the first ever Black police chief in Framingham. Spicer has nominated Baker for an initial three-year term, subject to Council approval.

Baker joined Framingham police in 2003 after beginning his career as an officer in Lexington. As the deputy chief of operations, he oversaw the dispatch center, investigations, police substations and special units, like school resource officers.

Baker was one of two finalists picked to take over for Trask and interim chief Ronald Brandolini. The other candidate was Baltimore police Maj. James Rhoden Jr.

Trask was the third department head to retire in 2020 following former fire chief Joseph C. Hicks and public works director Peter Sellers. Hicks was replaced by Chief Michael Dutcher, and Sellers by Blake Lukis — both internal candidates.