March 28, 2024

Finalist for Seekonk Police Chief Accused of Sexual Assault

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Christopher Mackenzie, who had been considered for the position of Seekonk Police Chief, was charged on February 3 with indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14.

Mackenzie, a former Walpole Deputy Police Chief, is accused of groping a woman’s genitals while she was driving him home in his department vehicle from the Raven’s Nest bar last May. He is scheduled to be arraigned on March 18 in Wrentham District Court. The State Police Detective Unit is handling the case because of potential conflicts of interest with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office, which works with the Walpole Police Department.

Mackenzie in August negotiated his departure from the police department to allow him time to find another job.

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

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.

Meanwhile, the town has retained the services of a recruitment firm to screen candidates for Police Chief and Fire Chief. Cadime said Public Safety Consultants, LLC of Pocasset will be paid $11,900 each for the police and fire departments.  The firm will review resumes, conduct a job task analysis, and will develop questions for candidates and assessment exercises.

Members of the police department voiced their support of interim Chief David Enos at the January 22 Selectmen meeting. Enos was appointed to serve as Chief on an interim basis following the retirement of Frank John last July.

John had been placed on administrative leave in March 2019 after being in the position for six months. Enos had served as Deputy Chief.

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