Lincoln Police Chief Sean Kennedy has been placed on administrative leave following allegations of a domestic violence incident at his Westwood residence. Kennedy, 53, stands accused of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as assault and battery on a family member. Court documents detailed by Boston 25 News describe an argument leading to Kennedy allegedly throwing the family member against a kitchen wall.
Following the incident, which occurred over the weekend, the victim sought help at the Westwood Police station and was later treated for facial injuries requiring stitches. Despite being visibly upset and reluctant, the victim informed the police that this event wasn't Kennedy's first physical outburst, according to officer Paul Messina's report quoted by NBC10 Boston. Kennedy was released on a $1,500 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on June 26th.
The town of Lincoln has taken immediate action to address the situation. "The Town takes any such allegations very seriously and, consistent with Town Policy, has placed the Chief on administrative leave," stated Lincoln Town Administrator Timothy Higgins, a declaration first published by Boston 25 News. Lincoln’s Select Board voted to appoint Lincoln Police Lt. Jon Wentworth as acting police chief while the internal review is conducted.
In reaction to the upheaval, Wentworth addressed the current state of the department, saying, "A very tough weekend for the police department, especially for the chief and his family." "We're working towards continuity of operations of the police department," Wentworth confessed to NBC10 Boston, bypassing the allegations themselves directly because of restrictions regarding domestic incidents. With the matter now pending legal investigation, the Lincoln police department and the town administration are focused on upholding town policy and due process.
