Ex Seekonk Police Chief Wins Settlement

Former Police Chief Dean Isabella has won a $136,841.63 settlement from the Town of Seekonk. Chief Isabella was placed on administrative leave by Town Administrator Shawn Cadime in January 2023.

The Board of Selectmen voted to terminate Isabella’s employment soon after.

Isabella filed suit against the Town for violations of his constitutional, legal and contractual rights. He had nearly a year remaining on his three-year contract.

Isabella was hired in December 2020. Prior to Isabella’s termination, Cadime said the police department needed to undergo a “directional shift.”

“The Town of Seekonk’s decision to terminate me without cause not only breached my contract but also undermined the principles of fairness and accountability that every public institution should uphold,” Isabella said on Wednesday. “Their actions have caused lasting damage to my professional reputation and livelihood, and I will continue to seek justice for this unjust treatment."

Isabella is still seeking $2.2 million in damages for the harm he believes was inflicted to his career and reputation, which remains pending in the Massachusetts Federal District Court in Boston.

“We of course disagree with Mr. Isabella’s perspective on the matter, and we look forward to continuing to defend our position in court,” Cadime said via e-mail. “Because that case is still pending, we will not comment substantively upon the recently-reached settlement, except to say that it was in connection with an arbitration proceeding that was going to be time consuming and costly for both parties, and would further delay ultimate resolution of the court case, which had been stayed pending the arbitration proceeding.”

 “This case underscores the responsibility of public institutions to act in good faith and respect the rule of law,” said Isabella’s attorney, Eric S. Brainsky.

“We look forward to prosecuting the second half of this case in Federal Court where we will continue to fight for justice and accountability for Chief Isabella.”

In a 2023 interview, Isabella told the Reporter that under his leadership, the department had either “met or exceeded” the standards used to determine a successful police department.

"We have reduced crime every year for the last two years," Isabella noted. "As far as professionalism is concerned, we have had only one civilian complaint lodged. I think that's a testament to the professionalism of the officers involved but also a testament to the command staff and the standard by which they hold those officers.”