From Isabella to Enos

By Joe Siegel

The Seekonk Police Department has experienced turmoil in the last few months. David Enos, who had served as Deputy Chief for the department, was appointed February 1 to replace former Chief Dean Isabella. Town Administrator Shawn Cadime said Enos “has shown outstanding leadership during challenging times and has a great understanding of our community and the department.”

Selectmen Chairman Justin Sullivan said the board wished to recognize “the integrity and professionalism that the Seekonk Police Department has shown in the past several weeks as the department transitions.”

“We are incredibly fortunate that we have someone willing to lead the department with the care and thoughtfulness needed during these times,” Sullivan added. “We are ready to move forward.”

Enos, a former lieutenant, had served as Interim Chief following the retirement of Frank John in July 2019, who served as chief for only six months. John had been placed on administrative leave in

March 2019 and an investigation was conducted by the town but Seekonk officials never released details.

On January 6, Cadime suspended Isabella and placed him on paid administrative leave. The Board of Selectmen voted January 18 to terminate Isabella’s employment contract, which still had nearly a year remaining. Isabella was hired in December 2020. Prior to Isabella’s termination, Cadime said the police department needed to undergo a “directional shift.”

Isabella is now suing the Town of Seekonk and the Board of Selectmen for breach of contract. In the January 19 court filing with the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Isabella’s attorney Eric Brainsky noted: “The (Board of Selectmen) opened the hearing by highlighting their erroneous position the BOS is entitled to terminate Chief Isabella’s employment with the Town with, or without cause. The BOS presented no evidence or allegations of any wrongdoing by Chief Isabella that would purportedly justify his termination or the termination of his Contract. During said hearing, no findings or even so much as any discussion regarding just cause or cause to terminate Chief Isabella’s employment and/ or Contract was had by the BOS.”

Brainsky also alleged the town violated Isabella’s rights to due process as guaranteed in the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the Constitution: “(The) Defendants, acting under color of law, knowingly, intentionally, egregiously, arbitrarily, capriciously, corruptly and outrageously disregarded the law, violating Plaintiff’s life, liberty and property rights.”

In the past year, the Police Department has been plagued by resignations and retirements. The department roster is supposed to have a total of 40 officers. There are three open positions currently. Two officers are on military leave and one more is out due to injuries, according to Cadime.

The issue of staffing was addressed at the pre-termination hearing. Brainsky stated: “Chief Isabella testified that during his first year as Chief of Police, he recognized staffing as a major challenge and knew that the majority of officers in the Department had less than six (6) years of service; and as such, he believed that it was a priority to create advancement opportunities for the Town’s rank and file police officers.”

Brainsky also explained that “Chief Isabella also testified that recently, he submitted a comprehensive staffing proposal to the Town’s Administration that included a staffing study from a Massachusetts-based research firm outlining the current and future staffing levels needed to serve the Town.”

Isabella told the Reporter on January 10 that under his leadership, the department has 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.”

The department has had a “robust” community engagement with residents, Isabella added. “I hope that continues in the future. I think that’s a very important part of the future of any law enforcement agency. My hope would be that continues with the next Chief of Police.”