Kehoe Named Acting Police Chief

By Andrew Gorosko

Police Captain Michael Kehoe, who has been in charge of the police department since last July, has been named to the post of “acting police chief” by the Police Commission.

Police Commission members unanimously approved naming Mr Kehoe acting chief at an April 4 commission meeting.

Since former police chief James E. Lysaght, Jr, was put on paid administrative leave by the commission last July, Mr Kehoe has headed the police department, functioning as both the police chief and the police department’s executive officer.

 The commission fired Mr Lysaght last month, saying he had not demonstrated the leadership, management, and planning abilities needed to effectively and efficiently run the police department. Mr Lysaght has sued the commission, seeking to regain the police chief’s post.

 “The position of chief is vacant,” said commission Chairman James Reilly. Noting that Capt Kehoe has been running the department since last July, Mr Reilly said, “I think we should formalize that.”

Commission member Richard Simon then made a motion to name Capt Kehoe “acting chief,” a move which commission members unanimously endorsed.

 Mr Simon complimented Capt Kehoe on his performance in heading the police department since July.

The police department handled a murder investigation last July and a bank robbery investigation last month expediently and professionally while Capt Kehoe was in charge, Mr Simon said.

“You have been a credit to this department,” Mr Simon said.

  Mr Simon suggested that commission members discuss naming someone to serve as the department’s acting captain. It is important to have a person head the department and also have an executive officer “to prevent something from falling through the cracks,” Mr Simon said.

Commission member Carol Mattegat said the commission can wait to name someone as acting captain. The commission will take up naming an acting captain in the future, she said.

Whether Acting Chief Kehoe receives a pay raise in the post is a decision for the first selectman, Mr Reilly said April 5.

Commission members have not yet discussed seeking a permanent replacement for Mr Lysaght, Mr Reilly said. Members will be discussing the implications of Mr Lysaght’s pending lawsuit with their attorneys, Mr Reilly said.

Mr Kehoe will serve as acting chief of police until a permanent police chief is named, Mr Reilly said.

Attorney John Kelly, who represents Mr Lysaght, has said it is unclear how long it will take to resolve Mr Lysaght’s lawsuit against the town.