Portland’s interim police chief announces departure

Interim Portland Police Chief F. Heath Gorham speaks during a memorial service in 2022 for the 21st anniversary of 9/11. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Portland Interim Police Chief F. Heath Gorham will retire from the department at the end of the next week, leaving the force with another stopgap leader as city leaders continue their search for a new permanent chief.

City Manager Danielle West told the City Council at a workshop Monday evening that Gorham planned to leave the force in nine days. Gorham told the Press Herald Monday that he had not applied for the permanent chief position and was planning to retire.

Neither West, who will make the final decision on Portland’s next police head, nor Mayor Kate Snyder responded to emails Tuesday morning requesting information about who would immediately replace Gorham and when the city expected to hire a permanent chief.

Gorham has been leading the department since November 2021 following the resignation of Frank Clark, who held the role for two years before leaving for a job in private security. Gorham has worked for Portland’s force since joining as a patrol officer in 2001.

The city launched its search for a permanent chief in February and planned to begin reviewing applicants in March. But after the initial posting drew fewer candidates than expected, the city delayed the review process in order to draw more applicants. The online job posting, which lists a salary range of  $135,000 – $175,000, remains open.

Clark was earning a salary of $136,000 at the time of his departure, while Gorham earns $140,000.

The police chief is one of the top jobs in city government, reporting directly to the city manager and responsible for nearly 200 employees plus an additional 36 at the regional communications and dispatch center. The annual police budget tops $15 million.

This story will be updated.

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