By JON BAKER

LINCOLN — Over the past six months, Brian Sullivan has filled two roles with the town’s police department — one as acting chief, the other his appointed position of deputy.

At Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting, he finally could — as the old phrase goes —“put all his eggs into one basket.”
Just minutes into the session, Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond officially announced Sullivan as Lincoln’s new chief. Apparently, Almond made that decision during a meeting with officers on Monday.
Sullivan, who just turned 48 but has spent nearly 26 years in this same department, politely declined comment to media members after the ceremony.
With wife Shilpa, an attorney, by his side, he grinned, “We have to go pick up our daughter. We’re late!”
One thing’s for sure: The former Lincoln High varsity football and baseball player was thrilled, as he had enlisted dispatcher Leslie Frazier, a Pawtucket native, to take photos of the event “for the family album.”
“It’s a privilege to make this appointment,” Almond stated to the council. “I’m confident his appointment is the right thing for the Lincoln Police Department.”
Almond also noted that those six months, since former chief Robert T. Kells chose to resign in early October, allowed him to assess leadership capabilities within the department, and that “several” other officers were capable of handling the job.
In the end, Sullivan’s impressive resume won out.
“We’re looking forward to a swearing-in ceremony in the near future,” Almond said.
James Jahnz, representative of District 4 (including portions of Lime Rock, Albion and Quinville), was first to speak on behalf of the council.
“I’d like to offer congratulations to our new chief,” he said. “If someone asked me, ‘Do I feel better and safer for my family with Chief Sullivan in charge, I would say ‘Yes.’”
Council member John Flynn (of Lonsdale) added, “I’ve been friendly with the Sullivan family for over 30 years now, and I know he has a stellar reputation within the department. As I thought back, I couldn’t recall someone from Lincoln being named the new chief. This is a town he’s lived in
almost his whole life, and my congratulations go out to him and his family.”
Council President Jeremiah T. O’Grady offered only, “I agree wholeheartedly with everything that’s been said. You have the complete support of this town and the town council.”
Sullivan then approached the bench and accepted handshakes from Town Solicitor Anthony DeSisto, the four councilmen (Ronald McKenna of Manville was absent) and Town Clerk Karen Allen.
Before the meeting, Jahnz stated, “I’m very pleased by this. Brian has been a fantastic public servant for well over two decades, and I think choosing from within (the department) makes a tremendous amount of sense.”
After graduating from Lincoln High in 1978, Sullivan attended Shippensburg State (Pa.) College, where he earned a Bachelor’s in criminal justice in 1982. Just a month or so later, he became a dispatcher at his hometown police department and remained in that post until 1986.
In 1988, Sullivan gained full-time patrolman status before being named a juvenile detective in 1992, and, in 1998, was promoted to sergeant. Two years later, in January 2000, he moved to police lieutenant and served in that position until August 2002, when he was appointed the deputy chief under Kells.
When Kells retired last early October, Sullivan became the acting chief, all the while fulfilling his duties as deputy.
He currently is enrolled at Salve Regina University, pursuing his Master’s of Science in the justice administration program.
“My thoughts about Brian becoming the new chief? That’s easy; I’m glad Joe Almond appointed someone from Lincoln,” Flynn remarked earlier Tuesday. “Brian is someone who really knows the town and it’s people, and -- obviously -- the police department.
“The fact he’s been the acting chief for about six months now, I think he can hit the ground running from Day One, rather than having to train someone brand new,” he added. “From everything I’ve heard, the officers in the department really respect him, and have had positive things to say about him … I don’t think Joe would’ve appointed him if he wasn’t committed to the job, and staying in that position for a significant amount of time.”
The question, however, persists: Who will become the new deputy chief?
According to the town charter, a police chief may recommend his choice of deputy to the town administrator, who will make the ultimate decision, Flynn said.
Still, no one on Tuesday night seemed to be looking that far ahead
The Sullivans just wanted to take their toddler daughter home.