Ousted Seekonk police chief plans to sue town

SEEKONK, Mass. (WPRI) — Seekonk is officially cutting ties with yet another top cop.

Beginning Friday, Dean Isabella will no longer serve as the town’s police chief. The town’s Board of Selectmen rescinded Isabella’s appointment during a meeting Wednesday night.

Isabella was inexplicably placed on leave earlier this month. At the time, town administrator Shawn Cadime said the police department needed 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,” Cadime wrote. “While it is never the intention to shorten an employment contract, high level positions within the town pose their own challenges which require any separation to be done respectfully and quickly.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, the Board of Selectmen didn’t elaborate further and declined to comment to WPRI.

“What the town is doing here is trampling all over my client’s rights,” said Isabella’s attorney, Eric Brainsky.

While the meeting was set to unfold in executive session, Isabella opted for an open hearing, and addressed the board along with his attorney.

Isabella spoke for several minutes about all that he and the department has accomplished since he took over the top job, including how crime rates are down, patrols have increased, and the department has ended year after year under budget.

He also told the board the last few weeks have been difficult.

“Your actions have caused irreparable harm to my professional reputation, my personal health, my mental well-being, and most importantly, harm to the well-being of my wife and family, all without cause or justification,” Isabella said.

Brainsky said Isabella’s contract requires a cause for termination, and since the town hasn’t provided one, they plan on suing for damages.

Isabella’s contract expires in December of 2023.

Isabella, who took over as Seekonk chief in December 2020, is the third police chief in recent years.

Former police chief Frank John was placed on leave in 2019, but held the position for only a few months following the resignation of former chief Craig Mace in 2018. Christopher Mackenzie was initially appointed to replace John, but Cadime rescinded the offer and appointed Isabella instead.

Last week, 12 News uncovered that Isabella has drafted a cover letter to the position of Chief of Police in Providence. Though he has said he had no plans of applying or leaving Seekonk, and updated it after learning what the town’s board was planning.

“My client never had any intention of applying to the city of Providence. He didn’t apply to the city of Providence,” Brainsky reiterated.

Before becoming Seekonk chief, Isabella worked for the Department of Children, Youth and Families, and before that, worked as a Providence police captain for more than 30 years.