On July 24, Mayor D.J. Beauregard announced the appointment of Capt. James “Jamie” Moore as acting chief of the Methuen Police Department, effective upon the retirement of Chief Scott J. McNamara on Aug. 24.
Moore will lead the department while the city conducts a search for its next permanent chief of police.
“Captain Moore is an exceptional leader who has dedicated over three decades of his career to serving the people of Methuen,” said Beauregard. “He is deeply respected within the department and throughout our community, and I have complete confidence in his ability to provide steady leadership during this transition.”
Moore began his career with MPD in 1993 in the department’s dispatch division before becoming a police officer. Over more than 30 years of service, he has held positions of increasing responsibility and has become one of the department’s most trusted leaders, according to the press release. He currently commands the Special Services and Professional Standards Bureau, where he has played a key role in departmental accreditation, policy development, officer training and organizational excellence.
In recommending Moore for promotion to captain in 2025, Chief McNamara praised his professionalism, strategic vision, integrity and unwavering commitment to both the department and the community. Moore was also the top-ranked candidate on the Massachusetts Civil Service eligibility list for promotion to captain in the MPD.
“I want to thank Chief McNamara for his extraordinary leadership and dedicated service to the City of Methuen,” Beauregard said. “Under his leadership, the department has strengthened its commitment to professionalism, accountability, accreditation and community policing. His legacy will have a lasting impact on the department, and I know Captain Moore is well prepared to continue that tradition during this transition.”
McNamara announced earlier this year that he will retire effective Aug. 24 after a distinguished career in law enforcement.
The city will conduct a comprehensive search for its next permanent chief of police. The position will be open to both internal and external candidates through a competitive process to identify the best individual to lead the department into the future. Additional details regarding the search process will be announced in the coming weeks.
