March 29, 2024

Seekonk Selectmen Reject MacKenzie as Police Chief

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The Seekonk Board of Selectmen rejected the appointment of Christopher MacKenzie as the new Police Chief at their Wednesday meeting. The vote was 2 in favor and 3 opposed. Chairman David Andrade and Justin Sullivan voted yes and David Viera, Nelson Almeida, and Chris Zorra voted no.

MacKenzie has served as deputy police chief in Walpole since 2015. His duties include hiring, capital budget planning, and media relations, as well as overseeing the Detective Division and Internal Affairs Division. “He stood out as the top candidate,” said Sullivan.

Zorra noted David Enos had done a “great job” as acting police chief and believed he should have the position. Zorra believes the police department should promote from within, noting it would “cast a dark cloud” if an outsider was appointed as chief.

The recommendation to hire MacKenzie came from town administrator Shawn Cadime. Cadime expressed his disappointment with the vote and defended the work of the search committee. “The process itself was a legitimate process, it was vetted, and the entire search committee was extremely excited about Deputy Mackenzie coming on board to do the job. This is a little disheartening to say the least.”

Sullivan was also upset with the vote, believing the search for a new chief would now be tainted. “It further railroads the process going forward,” Sullivan added.

Last August, selectmen appointed Enos to serve as Police Chief on an interim basis. The town had launched a search for a new Police Chief, following the retirement of Frank John on July 31. John had been on the job for only six months when he was placed on administrative leave in early March and an investigation of an unspecified situation was conducted by town officials. Enos, a former lieutenant who was appointed by John to that position in February, has been overseeing the police department for several months.

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