Brian Keenan talks to the large crowd after getting sworn in as the next police chief for Holyoke.
Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
HOLYOKE — After being offered the job following a public interview session, former Springfield Police Capt. Brian Keenan was officially named the next Holyoke police chief during a swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 7.
Hundreds of police officers, state and local officials, family, friends and residents packed the Holyoke City Hall ballroom to witness the ceremony. There were many officers and officials from Springfield as well to watch Keenan get sworn in.
Following the retirement of former Chief David Pratt in July 2024, the mayor’s office launched a search for a successor. Mayor Joshua Garcia appointed a search committee, composed of city officials, community leaders and law enforcement personnel.
After the presenting of the colors, national anthem and an opening prayer by Father Mark Stelzer, Garcia, state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) and Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni all spoke.
Velis talked about how committed Keenan is to his work and said, “A lot of people come forward and say, you know, they do the job 24/7, that they’re constantly available, that’s quite literally the truth about this man,”
Judge Tina Wescott Cafaro administered the oath of office before Keenan took the stage to express his gratitude for the role and provide some goals and promises for the city.
Keenan brings nearly 30 years of experience from the Springfield Police Department with 14 years of command experience and eight as a captain. His brothers were police officers as well.
After growing up in Boston, Keenan went to school at Westfield State College to study criminal justice. During his time in college, he said he got to experience a little bit of Holyoke.
After graduation, Keenan got a job with former Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe where he worked three years as a corrections officer and “was one of the best experiences of my life,” he said.
Keenan also acknowledged many connections he has had to Holyoke throughout his life and career including his first law enforcement experience, his first mentor being from Holyoke.
He thanked Garcia for offering him the position and stated, “Today marks the fulfillment of a career goal for me to become a police chief but it also marks an important chapter for the city of Holyoke. That’s my commitment to you.”
Keenan said he plans to have community meetings in every neighborhood to bring the Police Department to the community.
Some of the biggest challenges that Holyoke faces, along with other cities, is drug problems, prostitution, as well as gun violence and domestic violence. Keenan said he is ready to focus on those problems, but noted the importance of solving the small problems like speeding and noise disturbances can help with the major ones.
Keenan said, “The Police Department will prioritize quality of life issues that affect people’s lives. Speeding, unnecessary noise, crimes of disorder, street level drug dealing will not be tolerated in Holyoke. My experience has showed me by taking care [of] these small issues, the big issues take care of themselves.”
He also talked about how he can bring previous experiences to his new role and said, “Today, one of the most pressing challenge[s] Holyoke faces is to make sure every resident in every neighborhood is free to live in safety and security. As your police chief, I will do everything in my power to meet this challenge.”
Keenan also preached transparency, communication with all his officers to make sure the entire department is on the same page with solving problems in Holyoke.
“We have to recognize that we cannot arrest our way out of deeper social problems. Our officers must be warriors as well as guardians, striking the right balance between compassion and enforcement,” he stated.
Most importantly, Keenan said he wants the Holyoke Police Department to be guided by three values, pride, commitment and respect.
Besides all the officials who spoke at the ceremony, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno wrote Garcia a letter stating how “bittersweet” it was for Keenan to get the new role in Holyoke.
“The Springfield Police Department and the city of Springfield, our loss is Mayor Garcia’s brilliant gain. Chief Keenan has the merit and professionalism to do the job,” Sarno wrote.
Garcia acknowledged that the process took some time and thanked the search committee for their hard work in finding Keenan.
He said, “This morning marks the culmination of a thoughtful and thorough process from Chief Pratt’s announcement of his retirement to the steady leadership of interim chief Isaias Cruz supported by the departments rank and file we have navigated this transition with care.”
