Seekonk leaders vote to remove police chief
(WJAR) — Seekonk Police Chief Dean Isabella was told his last day is Friday.
Town Administrator Shawn Cadime confirmed to NBC 10 the Seekonk Board of Selectmen voted to rescind Isabella's appointment as chief of police on Wednesday night.
Isabella was put on paid leave earlier this month, after serving over two years in the role. He has around a year remaining on his contract.
When asked the reason behind the decision to put him on leave, Cadime previously told the NBC 10 I-Team, “The Board of Selectmen and I feel that the department needs a directional shift.”
Isabella's attorney, Eric Brainsky, tells NBC 10 he plans on filing a lawsuit challenging the town.
This is the third time in four years a police chief or fire chief in the town has been removed from the job.
Isabella became chief in late 2020 after former Chief Frank John was mysteriously put on leave in March 2019. John had served for just six months as chief.
Prior to serving with the Seekonk Police Department, Isabella was a Providence police officer for over 30 years. He left that position in 2019 for a job at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families.
No information regarding a replacement was released.