Police Chief Kennedy is reinstated

Police Chief Sean Kennedy has been reinstated after an 18-month paid administrative leave imposed after he was arrested on domestic violence charges.

At an Oct. 1 executive session of the Select Board, David Jenkins of town counsel firm K-P Law reviewed the timeline of the 18-month investigation of the incident involving the chief that occurred on May 10, 2025. The Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) suspended Kennedy’s police certification on May 13, 2025 and had him turn in his uniform, badge, firearm, and other equipment. The case was set for a bench trial on Aug. 8, 2025, at which all charges were dismissed.

Kennedy later requested a suspension hearing, which was held on April 16, 2026. That same day, POST issued an order lifting the suspension. However, his status was still listed as “Further Certification Review.” It was not until September 24 that POST voted to close the inquiry and decline to commence disciplinary proceedings.

After the charges were filed, the town engaged an independent outside investigator firm. “The investigators conducted a comprehensive nine-month review, including interviews with more than a dozen individuals identified as having relevant information, and analyzed all other evidence available to them,” the Select Board said in an Oct. 1 statement. “Based on the evidence gathered, the Select Board accepted the findings and conclusions of the investigators and determined that Chief Kennedy’s conduct on May 10, 2025 did not violate policy, procedures, rules, or regulations of the Town of Lincoln, the Lincoln Police Department, or the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and did not warrant discipline under applicable standards.

“As required by law, the second phase of the process involved review by [POST] to determine whether the town’s investigation was thorough, lawful, and complete, and whether Chief Kennedy’s certification should be restored to allow him to continue serving in law enforcement,” the statement continued. “The commission concluded that the town’s investigation met those standards and approved Chief Kennedy’s recertification. In light of the investigation’s findings and POST’s recertification decision, the town has determined that Chief Kennedy may return to his position as chief of the Lincoln Police Department.”

Kennedy’s reinstatement is subject to conditions including submission of a reentry plan, a performance review at six and twelve months after his resumption of duties, and regular check-ins with the Town Administrator.