Seekonk Police Chief Terminated

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday to terminate the employment of Police Chief Dean Isabella.

Isabella, who had been placed on paid administrative leave by Town Administrator Shawn Cadime on January 6, has been in the position since November 2020.

Isabella’s last day is Friday. He had signed a three year contract with the town.

A public hearing regarding Isabella’s employment was held at the meeting.

“My client is under contract,” said Eric Brainsky, Isabella’s attorney. “The contract does not expire until December 2 of this year. The charter does not give the town the authority to rescind or abrogate the contract. What the town is doing here is trampling all over my client’s rights. This is completely unnecessary, we’ve been given no reason whatsoever other than the town wants to go in a different direction as to why we’re here.”

Isabella said serving with the men and women of the Seekonk Police Department “has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

Isabella pointed out a lack of communication from Cadime and the Board of Selectmen regarding their expectations of his leadership of the Police Department.

“The Seekonk Police Department has excelled,” Isabella added. “To not recognize that is a discredit to the hard work and dedication of every member of the Seekonk Police Department.”

“Law enforcement agencies across the country are facing a growing number of challenges; including the struggle to recruit, retain, and restructure,” Cadime said in a January 10 press release. “As the Town continues to navigate these challenges and progress our strategic plan for the organization, the Board of Selectmen and I feel that the department needs a directional shift. The Police department requires a leader who understands the community, the organization, and most importantly the brand that our men and women in the Seekonk Police Department have worked so hard to promote.”

Isabella previously 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 had been a member of the Providence Police Department since 1987 and retired as a captain in 2019. Isabella obtained a Bachelors degree at Roger Williams University and a Masters degree from Boston University. 

The police department has experienced turmoil before.

David Enos, a former lieutenant, had served as Interim Chief following the retirement of Frank John in July 2019, who served as chief for only six months.

John had been placed on administrative leave in March 2019 and an investigation was conducted by the town but Seekonk officials never released details.