Lester Baker OK'd As New Framingham Police Chief

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Lester Baker has officially been picked as Framingham's new police chief following an affirmative vote of the City Council on Tuesday night. Baker, a deputy chief who first joined the department in 2003, was nominated recently by Mayor Yvonne Spicer for a three-year term.

Baker, 47, will be Framingham's first Black chief, and takes over the department amid lingering nationwide unrest over racism in policing. But the Councilors all enthusiastically voted for Baker's appointment, highlighting his character and commitment to community issues.

"I think you couldn't find a better choice right now," District 1 Councilor Christine Long said.

District 8 Councilor John Stefanini highlighted that Baker stepped in after a break-in struck fear in a community in his district, smoothing a tense situation.

"I've personally witnessed him in neighborhoods with people, and seen the command he has over the men and women of his department," Stefanini said.

Spicer began searching for a new chief in June following former chief Steven Trask's retirement. By last month, she had whittled down four candidates to two: Baker and Baltimore police Maj. James Rhoden Jr. Spicer said her familiarity with Baker helped her make the pick.

"When he walks in a room, he lights up the room and people feel safe," Spicer said.

Spicer has also sought to recommit the police department in the wake of the George Floyd killing. Just a day before Trask's retirement in June, Spicer and the Board of Health jointly declared racism a public health crisis. And in a joint order with Trask, she ordered the department review its use-of-force policies, and to adopt the "8 can't wait" platform — which interim Chief Ronald Brandolini completed

Baker said his first act as chief would be to speak to all the department's employees to get "everyone in the police department on the same page." He also brushed off compliments, attributing his success to police department employees.

"I can't accept the praise," he said. "I work with great men and women and civilians and the thanks goes to them. I do have a lot of ideas, but it's the men and women of the police department that carry them out for me."

Baker still has to be sworn in. Spicer could not say the exact date when that would happen.