MANCHESTER, NH – Mark Roy announced his resignation from the Manchester Police Commission on Wednesday morning as the monthly commissioner’s meeting wrapped up.
“It’s been an absolute honor,” said Roy, who added that being on the police commission has “meant more to him in his personal life” than he could express.
Roy nominated fellow commissioner Scott Spradling as his successor, who was unanimously approved by fellow commissioners Steve Spain and Eva Castillo-Turgeon.
The resignation comes as Roy prepares to sell his Manchester home. He and his family have been living in New Durham, and although he said that he may be looking to buy another home in Manchester’s Ward 1, he is stepping down until things are more settled. His term would have expired in Sept. of 2018
Roy, a former Alderman, also resigned his post on the Board of Recounts.
This leaves two open positions on the police commission, following the exodus of William Clifford when his term expired in September. Mayor Ted Gatsas is expected to present two nominees for approval during the Nov. 15 Board of Aldermen meeting.
The Police Commission is a civilian board appointed by the mayor to give citizens a voice on policy recommendations as appropriate to the department. The board meets the first Wednesday of each month for a public meeting at Manchester Police Headquarters.
In parting words, Roy praised the police department’s leadership, “from top to bottom,” and said he felt Spradling’s background in media and politics would serve the commission well, going forward.
He also said that, without crunching the numbers, he believes he may have gone on more ride-alongs with police officers than anyone else in the city, an experience that for him always underscored the professionalism of the city’s police department, its ability to go from call to call, all while rising above adversity.
Spradling said Roy was leaving “big shoes to fill,” and commended him for his passion for the commission.
“You’ve been a loyal and passionate chairman and someone who has brought his entire heart and soul to this department – to building relationships with top brass, but also to be able to drill deep and make yourself available to the officers as well as to the public, in trying to be that conduit for smooth relations with the community – which is how I see our role, as citizen members of this board.”
Spradling is a former reporter, anchor and political director for WMUR-TV in Manchester, and has served on the five-member Manchester Police Commissioner for the past year. He is president of The Spradling Group, a public relations and consulting partnership, which he operates with his wife, Tracy Caruso.
