Following the unanimous recommendation by Newton’s nine-member Police Selection Committee, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced that George McMains, the Acting Chief of the Newton Police Department (NPD), will succeed John Carmichael as the department’s new chief. Former Chief Carmichael resigned at the end of August, after a three-month personal leave. Acting Chief McMains, an ex-Marine, now in his 28th year with the NPD, has “served in many roles and at every rank in the Newton Police Department,” including a brief stint as Superintendent just before being named Acting Chief, according to the Mayor’s announcement.
In his tenure as Acting Chief, McMains and the Newton Police Department have been called upon to deal with a marked increase in antisemitic incidents in Newton, including vandalism and a shooting at a pro-Israel demonstration. Responding to heightened political antagonism since Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, Acting Chief McMains and his team have been meeting with interfaith community groups and political organizations, including Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel groups to promote personal and political safety.
Acknowledging the increase in local tensions, Acting Chief McMains told Fig City News that “no one talks to anyone any more.” Conceding that there are also “professional agitators,” who prevent peaceful dialogue, he says he has been in discussion with people who are demonstrating, and they have done so peacefully. At the same time, the Chief wants to be sure that people who are feeling unsafe, or have been threatened, report their concerns to the NPD. He and Lt. Amanda Henrickson, Commander of the Community Services Bureau, have been advised that Muslim, Arabic, and Palestinian Newton residents may be fearful about reporting hate speech, hate crimes, and threats, but they urge people to come forward.
McMains said that his biggest priority is community outreach. “Everyone of us has an opportunity to build relationships, even with people in car stops traveling through the city.” He is eager to build rapport between police officers and residents, and he encourages people to walk up and say “hello” to officers. In fact, McMains said that he gets several letters a week commending officers for acts of kindness. Having grown up in a small Iowa town, he was influenced by its sense of community spirit and willingness of residents to help one-another. He said he would like to see more of that in this community.
Among his goals, McMains is committed to continuing the role of Newton’s School Resource and Youth Officers, among them John Pannica and Matt Colella, who are assigned to Newton’s two high schools. For some students, the officers offer support and resources not otherwise available to them or their families. McMains is planning also to revive the bicycle safety program, with officers leading parents and students on bicycle routes in the city, underscoring rules of the road.
A great supporter of Officer Leo, the Newton Police Department’s Community Outreach canine member, McMains explained that when former Chief John Carmichael was in charge, Superintendent McMains was allowed to bring in Elmer, the dog he and his wife were training to be a “seeing-eye” guide dog. Elmer would come to the station to play with Leo, and there is still a dog bed in McMains’ office.
McMains reiterated his invitation for people to come and talk to him when they see him walking in West Newton. If they do, they will find a pleasant, polite, and perceptive listener.
McMains will soon meet with the City Council and it conducts its approval of the appointment.
