Portland Interim Police Chief F. Heath Gorham at a Press Conference at Police Headquarters on Middle Street.

Portland Police Department Interim Chief F. Heath Gorham has announced that he will retire from the city of Portland effective July 1, 2023.  He has accepted a new position as a Senior Public Safety Consultant at a nationally recognized consulting firm.  Interim Assistant Chief Robert Martin will serve as Interim Chief.

Chief Gorham was promoted to Assistant Chief in Aril of 2021, before being named the Interim Chief seven months later in November, a position he has held for nearly 18 months.  (His promotion to Interim Chief followed the departure of his predecessor Chief Frank Clark for a similar position in the private sector, at WEX following a brief stint with the city of Portland.)

During this time the city found increasing challenges, including a rise in violent crime, drug overdoses, a significant increase in those that are homeless, and majoyr staffing.  The City’s press release issued this afternoon did not mention the controversy resulting when a group of out-of-state neo-Nazis invaded Portland with an inadequate response from the Portland Police Department.  The rally by the “Nationalist Social Club 131” happened earlier this year.

“This has not been an easy decision, but I knew when I made the decision not to apply for the chief’s job that at some point I would be leaving,” said Gorham.  “The only thing I ever wanted to be was a cop and I fulfilled that dream alongside some of the finrest cops in our state and our country.  I feel very fortunate for the opportunities the Portland Police Department has provided me.”

Gorham is a native of Gray, Maine and a four year Air Force Veteran who served as an explosive detection dog handler.

The new Interim Police Chief did not indicate whether or not he has or will be applying for the permanent position with the city of Portland.  Major Martin has 37 years of service with the Portland Police Department and has received many merit awards.