Newton Police Chief Announces Retirement Plans

NEWTON, MA — Police Chief George McMains announced he plans to retire at the beginning of the next calendar year.

McMains’s last day is slated to be on Jan. 8, 2026. When the time comes, he will have served a total of 29 years with the Newton PD.

McMains first joined the department in 1997 after a decorated career in the Marines, where he served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. In 2022, McMains was appointed Superintendent of Police, which is the second-highest position under chief.

He took over as acting chief in November 2024 when former chief John Carmichael took a leave of absence. Carmichael stepped down from the position citing his health, family, and other opportunities as reasons he did so.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has worked with McMains for the past eight years.

“I know him well as a calm and wise professional. He is a leader who listens and respects different viewpoints. He genuinely cares about serving everyone in our community. He is principled. He is a man of deep integrity. He is humble,” Fuller said. “The Chief is both a good police officer and a good person. who has worn the badge of the Newton Police Department with honor.”