Braintree Council Confirms Kilroy as Police Chief in 5-4 Vote

BRAINTREE — July 7, 2026 — Braintree Town Council confirmed Robert J. Kilroy Jr. as police chief in a 5-4 vote on Tuesday, July 7, with three dissenters citing process failures rather than the nominee's qualifications. Kilroy, a 26-year Massachusetts law enforcement veteran currently serving as deputy chief in Walpole, was nominated by Mayor Arryn V. Joyce after an eight-member screening committee forwarded four finalists. The Committee on Ways and Means had split 2-2 on the appointment at its June 30 hearing. The confirmation was conditioned on Kilroy passing a third-party, non-law enforcement background check, a requirement added after Ways and Means raised concerns about a fellow municipal agency conducting the original check. Councilor Michael Reynolds called the overall hiring process "managed and overseen in a blatantly unprofessional and biased manner," while Councilor James Ringus said the officers most affected by the decision "were not consulted." Council President Patrick Morin, a screening committee member, voted yes, saying his role is to assess whether the nominee is qualified and serves the town's interest — not to pick his own preferred candidate. After the split confirmation, Councilor Reynolds moved for a unanimous-consent vote of support for Kilroy and the department, which passed 9-0. The council also unanimously approved 14 motions totaling $3.5 million in FY2026 supplemental appropriations, including $1.1 million in free cash for snow and ice deficiencies, and authorized a deed in lieu of foreclosure for a long-delinquent contaminated parcel at 50 Elmwood Park, assessed at $198,600, carrying over $212,000 in outstanding taxes and costs.