Brookline Considers Tapping Acting Police Chief To Take Over

UPDATE: The Select Board will vote on this proposal on August 25 as a follow up to the discussion and proposal described below. This article has been adjusted to clarify that.

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline Select Board is considering tapping Police Superintendent Mark Morgan to fill the role as acting police chief to lead the department alongside retired Brookline Police Chief Dan O'Leary by the end of the month. It's part of a temporary transition plan until the town finds a new police chief. The board will vote on Aug. 28.

The appointment comes after Brookline Police Chief Andrew Lipson abruptly announced his resignation in July, shocking a number of people in the community.

"This is an interim step, so we can do a more competent search for a permanent person to fill the role," Select Board chair Bernard Greene told Patch.

The proposal was announced Tuesday and comes at a time of scrutiny about the future of policing in Brookline and throughout the country. It is also comes amid anger against police departments regarding acts of brutality against people of color. The anger and the scrutiny have prompted calls for fundamental change, and relocation of police budgets. Like many other municipalities, Brookline is in the process of building task forces to take a closer look at the town police department and its future.

"I do not consider it productive or in the Town’s longer term interests to seek a permanent chief within this environment," Town Administrator Mel Kleckner told the Select Board.

He recommended an interim leadership plan that could last up to a year, after which he said he would initiate a search and evaluation process for a permanent police chief.

The interim plan would allow the search process to be influenced by the reimagining and reform efforts getting underway in town, he said.

Kleckner recommended appointing Morgan as acting chief of police, responsible for command of the department's day to day operations and management and O'Leary to take on a civilian role to help manage the department's "public facing efforts."

Kleckner said O'Leary could help the task forces with his experience.

"This plan effectively utilizes the skills and talents of two individuals who together will provide outstanding leadership and management at such a critical juncture for the Town," said Kleckner. "It also has the benefit of assigning two individuals who will not be future candidates for the Chief’s position, creating a more open and competitive field for the upcoming process."

If the Select Board votes on Aug. 25, to approve the plan, Morgan will become acting chief of police effective Aug. 24.

Related:

• Newton Police Chief David MacDonald To Step Down
• Newton Mayor Taps Retired Police Chief After MacDonald ...
• Brookline Chief Of Police? Andy Lipson, Select ...
• Brookline's Chief Andy Lipson On His First Week: Q&A

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece.