Framingham Reveals 2 Police Chief Finalists

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The search for a new Framingham police chief is down to two finalists — one person from outside the department, and one from within.

The two candidates, Baltimore police Maj. James Rhoden Jr. and Framingham police Deputy Chief Lester Baker, will make their public debut during a community forum on Oct. 26, Mayor Yvonne Spicer announced Tuesday night.

During the forum, each candidate will provide their vision for the department, and answer community questions.

Framingham police Chief Steven Trask abruptly announced in June that he would be retiring after about two years in the role — although he had originally joined the force in 1987. Deputy Police Chief Ron Brandolini has taken over as the interim chief while Trask's replacement is chosen.

Rhoden was picked in May by the Milford Board of Selectmen to take over the department, but he turned the offer down. Rhoden works in the Baltimore police Compliance Bureau as an audits and inspections commander. He began as a patrol officer with the department in 1992.

Baker has been with Framingham police since 2003, and previously worked as a Lexington officer. As the deputy chief of operations, he oversees the dispatch center, investigations, police substations and special units, like school resource officers.

Twenty-one people applied for the job, with four semifinalists interviewed by Spicer and other city officials.

The Oct. 26 police chief forum begins at 5 p.m. Email kmcfalls@framinghamma.gov for a Zoom link to the forum.