March 28, 2024

Seekonk Has A New Police Chief

Posted

Dean Isabella will serve as the town’s new Police Chief beginning December 2. The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 at their November 18 meeting. Chairman Justin Sullivan, Chris Zorra, David Andrade, and Adam Petronio were in favor of the appointment, with David Viera opposed. Viera declined to comment for this story.

The board selected Isabella for the position last June, but an investigation into his background was not completed until recently. Cadime praised Enos for his leadership in the last year and a half: “I think he did a phenomenal job with what he was given.”

“I want to thank everybody for their patience and effort in this appointment,” Isabella said. “I look forward to working with everybody in the town. I’m really honored and humbled that you would select me as your new Chief of Police.”

Isabella worked for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in Rhode Island as assistant director of Child Services, overseeing the Child Protective Services unit that investigates child abuse. Isabella, who lives in Narragansett, had been a member of the Providence Police Department since 1987 and retired as a captain in 2019.

Last January, members of the police department lobbied selectmen on behalf of Acting Chief David Enos. Enos was appointed to serve as Chief on an interim basis following the retirement of Frank John in July 2019. John had been placed on administrative leave in March 2019 after being in the position for six months. At the time, Enos had been appointed to serve as Deputy Chief.

Petronio explained that Enos supported Isabella’s appointment because he “didn’t have the experience (Isabella) has.” “There was nothing indicating (Isabella) wouldn’t be a good fit,” Petronio added. ‘I think that he’s going to do a good job and we’ll be watching him carefully this year.”

Some residents were unhappy with the board for adding a vote on the Isabella appointment to the meeting agenda at the last minute. The deadline for public comments to be submitted was at noon on November 16. The agenda was amended a few hours later. “For a Board that prides itself on perception the timeline to which they amended the agenda and the cut off time for community comment certainly raises serious question and doubt,” said Doreen Taylor, a former town selectwoman.

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