Dobson was most recently the former assistant police chief at the rank of sergeant. He was sworn in as chief on Wednesday afternoon, March 23, during a special meeting called by the village board of trustees for that purpose. He stepped up as the department’s acting police chief after longtime Police Chief Bill Moore retired on Jan. 27, while the village board performed a job search for the position.

Dobson started his policing career with the Saranac Lake Police Department in 2004. He transferred to the LPPD in 2007, and he quickly rose through the ranks. He was a sergeant by 2009, and he was appointed assistant police chief in November 2015. Dobson said he did some work as an emergency medical technician and a fire department driver in the past, and he became an officer when he was 24.

Dobson and one other candidate applied for the position. Mayor Art Devlin said the other candidate never followed up with the board for an interview. Devlin said the village formed an interview committee for the position, composed of Moore, and village trustees Jackie Kelly and Marc Galvin, and he said the committee showed “overwhelming” support for Dobson as chief after his interview. Devlin said that hang-ups with the state Department of Civil Service delayed the swearing-in.

Dobson expects a smooth transition into his role as chief. He said Moore helped to prepare him during their time together, and he’s dealt with some chief duties as an assistant. He said he’s looking forward to stepping into the work.

“I’m honored that the mayor and the village board are putting their faith in me to be the next chief, and I’m ready to get to work,” he said.

Dobson is married and lives in Ray Brook. He’s been a volunteer with the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years.