ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen voted on Monday to put the police chief on a paid leave of absence.

 

The vote to put K. Scott Kelley on leave was taken at an executive session on Monday afternoon to discuss personal matters of or complaints or charges against an individual in employ of the town and to discuss discipline or dismissal. 

 

This story was first reported by WNYT.com on Monday night. 

 

The board also voted to appoint Sgt. Donna Malloy as acting police chief until further notice, according to board Chair John Duval. 

 

The notice on the town website for the executive session states the "the board will only return to open session to adjourn."

 

Duval, in an email, wrote "the town does not comment on personnel matters" and provided no context for placing Kelley on leave or confirm if there is an investigation in process. 

 

Kelley stepped into chief's post in January 2021, following the retirement of Chief Richard Tarsa, a 36-year member of the Adams force.

 

He came from South Carolina, and has nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including roles ranging from school resource officer to the special weapons and tactics team in Anderson, S.C., and worked in policing at two higher education institutions.

 

Kelley was proffered a second three-year contract in January 2024; this ends on Dec. 31 next year.