Police Chief Sean Kennedy in 2024.
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.
-Chief Kennedy was so helpful to me personally and here at Ryan.
Domestic violence means family . As a Marriage and Family therapist, I am curious about the origin of the charges.
He beat his wife. His wife was taken to the emergency room and had stitches. Do you really think women feel safe reporting domestic violence crimes when the chief of police sent his own wife to the hospital?
It requires great courage for a woman to file a domestic violence complaint , especially the very public nature of this one. I was curious about why the charges were withdrawn .
I hope she is safe and getting the all the support she needs.
The Select Board’s framing of this matter is extremely disturbing. The question is not simply whether Chief Kennedy acted unlawfully, particularly given that the charges were dropped. The more fundamental question is whether he is the best person to serve as Chief of Police, especially in light of the fact that he was arrested on domestic violence charges.
There are plenty of qualified candidates in the Commonwealth, including Inspector Wentworth, the acting chief, and others who could bring the qualifications, judgment, and leadership necessary to serve in this role. Why should the town continue to favor Chief Kennedy over other worthy candidates who have never been arrested, much less on domestic violence charges?
There is also a more troubling question that deserves a straightforward answer: Is there something about the way Chief Kennedy enforces the law that makes him particularly attractive to the Select Board, such that they are determined to retain him as chief despite the concerns surrounding his tenure?
Dismissed is not the same as Not Guilty. As a Lincoln resident, and domestic violence survivor, I do not approve of the way this was handled.