Interim Saco Police Chief Jack Clements is slated to become the Saco’s permanent police chief. SUBMITTED PHOTO
SACO — Deputy Police Chief Jack Clements is slated to become the new Saco police chief, pending a Saco City Council vote.
Clements has been serving as the interim police chief since former Police Chief Ray Demers retired on June 14.
He has been unanimously recommended for the chief position by an interview team that included the city administrator, human resources director, fire chief, a city councilor, a corporal from the police department and the director of Age Friendly Saco.
“I am confident the interview team made the right choice in naming Jack Clements as Saco’s new police chief,” said Mayor Marston Lovell. “Clements’ reputation as fair but firm and always leading by example resonated through his colleagues’ comments about his character, knowledge, and experience.”
The Saco City Council will vote whether to confirm the appointment on Aug. 5.
Cpl. Ted Gagnon, who was on the interview team, said the police department looked forward to Clements serving as chief, and believes that under his leadership the department will continue to provide the best police services possible for Saco.
“We have complete faith in his abilities to lead our agency and are honored to serve with him as our chief,” he said.
Clements has 30 years of law enforcement experience and joined the Saco Police Department as the deputy police chief in 2017.
“It’s about the people here. This agency has exceptional folks who care about the community and the job they do. When you get to come to work with intelligent people who want to be involved in the betterment of the community, it makes coming to work fun,” Clements said.
He said the police department has started a strategic planning process that involves the input of all the police workforce. The department has developed department values and is working collaboratively to develop agency goals, said Clements.
“I think the Saco Police Department is entering a new chapter and we have a lot of good things coming in the future,” he said.
Clements was raised in Kennebunk and began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Windham, before moving to Nevada for a position with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. While working in Las Vegas, Clements held various positions, including detective, community policing sergeant, executive sergeant for the office of the sheriff, lieutenant of convention center area command, lieutenant for K-9 and mounted patrol, lieutenant of central robbery and lieutenant for air support/search and rescue.
Clements said he moved back to Maine after retiring from Las Vegas because he and his wife are from this area and they wanted to raise their two children in a place with an a exceptional school system that is safe and has a lot of recreational opportunities.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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