City of Cambridge Press Release
Contact: Office of the City Manager
City of Cambridge
410 Academy Street
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
TCarroll@ChooseCambridge.com
For Immediate Release
Veteran Cambridge Chief of Police Mark Lewis Announces Retirement Effective in September of 2022
Cambridge, MD (July 14, 2022). After thirty-five years of honorable law enforcement service and almost five years as Chief of Police for the Cambridge Police Department, Mark Lewis has announced he will retire effective September 6, 2022.
Chief Lewis stated, “It has truly been an honor and a privilege to have served as Cambridge’s 8th Police Chief. I will miss helping the community and being able to improve the quality of life for our citizens. But most of all I will miss the officers who will continue to serve this city for years to come.”
Chief Lewis began his distinguished career in law enforcement in 1988 and steadily rose through the ranks of the Cambridge Police Department. He retired as Acting Police Chief in 2017 before answering the call to return to service in March 2018 as Chief of Police again. Chief Lewis has led the CPD since as it has navigated economic challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, crucial community conversations about policing and police accountability, and a recent spike in gun violence. His many accomplishments include advocating and obtaining pay increases for police officers, improving health insurance benefits, updating the CPD fleet, advancing community-oriented policing initiatives, adding technology such as the Shot Spotter program, and diversifying the CPD throughout all ranks.
His community involvement and public service extends well beyond his service to Cambridge. He served six years in the US Army Reserves and was a Dorchester County Corrections Officer for a year. Mark also served as a volunteer Firefighter with the Linkwood-Salem Vol. Fire Company for over 30 years. He is looking forward to beginning his next chapter spending quality time with his wife Carla, their two sons Tyler and Landon, and his daughter-in-law Kelsi Lewis.
Commission President Lajan Cephas offered the highest praise for Chief Lewis. “Chief Lewis is a proven leader, a trusted voice throughout the Cambridge community. He has led the CPD with honor, distinction, and grace. My fellow commissioners and I are extraordinarily grateful to Chief Lewis for his steady leadership, vision, and years of dedicated law enforcement service.”
Cambridge Police Captain Justin Todd will be the acting Chief of Police for at least the reminder of 2022 after Chief Lewis’s retirement date. Captain Todd has been with the City of Cambridge Police Department since 2001 and was born and raised in Dorchester County. City Manager Tom Carroll stated, “We are fortunate to have Captain Todd ready to step into this critical role in September. I am confident he can carry forward the advances begun by Chief Lewis.” Carroll added he is not considering any plans to start a recruitment process for the full-time chief of police in 2022. “Chief Lewis has set forth an ambitious, community-driven work plan for the CPD in the fiscal year that we have just begun. Captain Todd has my complete confidence to implement Mark’s vision in the coming months.”
Chief Lewis stated, “I will truly miss the work of helping the community and being able to help improve the quality of life for our citizens. But most of all I will miss the officers who will continue to serve this city for years to come. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my entire career.
For questions regarding this announcement, contact Chief Mark Lewis at 410-228-3333 or at mlewis@cambridgepd.org. For questions about the City of Cambridge in general, contact City Manager Tom Carroll at 410-228-4020 or at TCarroll@ChooseCambridge.com.
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