Chief of Police Is Nominated in Oak Bluffs

By JONATHAN BURKE

Erik Blake was appointed acting police chief in Oak Bluffs by a
unanimous vote of the board of selectmen Tuesday night.

"Based on the recommendation of our departing chief and based
on the full confidence of the board, I would make a motion to appoint
Erik Blake acting chief for a time uncertain," said Richard Combra
after the board came out of an executive session with departing police
chief, Joe Carter. Mr. Carter leaves Monday for Boston to be chief of
the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) police department.

At this point a formal search process with public advertising for
the permanent appointment of a police chief has not been planned. Todd
Rebello, chairman of the Oak Bluffs selectmen, identified Mr. Blake as
the favorite for the permanent position of Oak Bluffs police chief and
said the feeling of the board was to give him a tryout period.

"It's a common practice that you find someone
who's going to be an acting police chief first. From that point on
we will observe and probably spend time with Erik in the coming month to
determine whether he is up for the job," Mr. Rebello said.

"The sense I got from the board over the past few weeks is
that we would like to make every effort to find a permanent chief within
the department. If that does not work out, we will advertise and go to
an outside search," he said.

The board is not unanimous on this approach, however. Roger Wey said
this week that he would like to see a public search, as was done when
Chief Carter was hired.

"I have no problem appointing Erik Blake as acting police
chief in the town. During the summer months for a short time while
[Chief Carter] was away, he was acting chief. But I feel that there
should be a public process. There should be a search committee. Erik
Blake should be one of the candidates. But I think it's important
for the town that we put this out for public advertising," he
said.

Mr. Blake said he would enter his name as an applicant in any search
process for a permanent chief.

"I know that the appointment is acting chief for an
undetermined amount of time right now. Obviously, we will await their
decision on how they want to go about appointing a full-time chief.
I'm definitely going to be throwing my hat in for the job. I feel
I can do it," he said.

Mr. Blake is a native of West Tisbury and now resides in Oak Bluffs
with his wife, Lynn. He has an associate degree in criminal justice from
New England College and is working toward his bachelor's degree.

He joined the Oak Bluffs force in the summer of 1987 as a parking
and traffic officer and was hired by Chief Peter Williamson as a
permanent officer in June of 1988. At 34 years old, he has seen his
career take off since Chief Carter replaced Chief Williamson in June of
1998.

Chief Carter made Mr. Blake a sergeant in July of 2000 and promoted
him to lieutenant on Dec. 20. Mr. Blake has acted as the
department's second in command for the past 18 months. Mr. Carter,
in one of his last acts as chief, has thrown his formal support behind
the hiring of Mr. Blake as his replacement.

"Whether it is our community policing, problem solving and
youth service programs, strategic plan and community and business survey
efforts, and Fourth of July public safety plan and execution, to name a
few of our many successful initiatives, I relied on and received
exceptionally dedicated and focused support from one particular
individual - Lieut. Erik Blake," Chief Carter wrote in a
Jan. 7 letter to the board.

"Without reservation, I present you Lieutenant Blake with the
highest recommendation possible in succeeding me as chief of police of
the Oak Bluffs police department," stated Chief Carter in the same
letter.

Mr. Blake said this week that he looks forward to taking on the
position as chief. He characterized his emotions as "nervous
excitement."

"I feel like I've been properly mentored and he has
included me in every aspect in what it takes to lead a department.
I've been on negotiation committees. I've helped formulate
the budget. I'm in charge of scheduling training," he said.
"There won't be anything that I haven't seen
before."

He said he believes that he has the support and trust of the rest of
the department. His second in command will be Sgt. Timothy Williamson,
the son of former police chief Williamson.

The Oak Bluffs police department has a full-time staff of 14 and
hires an additional 15 to 20 specials during the summer months.