“Chief David Clark Reflects on Career, Announces Retirement and Succession Recommendation“
Reading Police Chief David Clark announced Tuesday that he plans to retire on May 10, 2027, concluding a 32-year career with the Reading Police Department and nearly a decade as the department’s chief.
Speaking before the Select Board, Clark said the decision comes after careful consideration and was made well before the town’s ongoing discussions surrounding a potential operational override and budget challenges.
Clark, a lifelong Reading resident, reflected on his career and highlighted the significant changes that have taken place within the department during his tenure. He pointed to efforts to diversify the department, expand community outreach, enhance officer training, and modernize policing practices.
Among the initiatives he cited were the introduction of comfort dogs in local schools, the addition of mental health services, the creation of drone and K-9 programs, and investments in technology and accreditation. Clark said many of those improvements were accomplished through grants, donations, and other funding sources that reduced the impact on taxpayers.
The men and women of this department have embraced change and continued to evolve in ways that better serve our community,” Clark told the board.
Clark also addressed speculation that his retirement plans were linked to current financial discussions facing the town, emphasizing that the decision had been under consideration long before the override debate emerged.
The timing has nothing to do with the override,” Clark said, noting that he had previously discussed retirement plans with former town leadership and wanted to ensure a smooth transition under current Town Manager Jane Wellman.
As part of that transition, Clark formally recommended Deputy Chief Christine Amendola as his successor.
Clark described Amendola as exceptionally qualified for the position, citing her extensive law enforcement experience, military service, leadership background, accreditation expertise, and statewide role in police training and professional development. Amendola has served in the Reading Police Department for more than two decades and is a veteran of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps.
You will not find a more qualified, prepared, or respected candidate for this position,” Clark said of Amendola.
Select Board members thanked Clark for his decades of service and praised the department’s progress under his leadership. Board members pointed to advances in community engagement, officer wellness, public safety technology, and training as hallmarks of his tenure.
The announcement marks the beginning of a transition process that will unfold over the next several months. Clark said he intends to continue working with town leadership to ensure a smooth handoff before his retirement takes effect in May 2027.
Clark joined the Reading Police Department in 1995 and has served the community through numerous roles and leadership positions. His retirement will close a career that spanned more than three decades of policing and public service in Reading.
Under the Reading Town Charter Section 5.2, the appointment of a police chief is made by the town manager, subject to Select Board confirmation. Once a nomination is made, the Select Board will vote on whether to confirm the appointment at a future meeting.
