Chief Kevin M. Lynch was appointed to lead the Bristol Police Department in September 2019. He is responsible for the planning, organizing and daily operations of the entire agency. This includes implementing policies, procedures, budgeting, grant management, maintaining both national and state accreditation, training and reviewing security protocols to ensure that town facilities, local university, and the students, employees and visitors of those facilities are safe.
The town of Bristol is home to the oldest and one of the largest continuously celebrated Independence Day festivities in the United States an event that draws over 200,000 people from Rhode Island and around the world. These elaborate celebrations give Bristol its nickname, “America’s most patriotic town”.
Prior to appointment, Chief Lynch spent over 20 years with the Cranston Rhode Island Police Department rising through the ranks and retiring as Commander, Chief of Administration at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Upon retirement from the Cranston Police Department Chief Lynch served as the Deputy Administrator and upon appointment to the Bristol Police Department was serving as the interim director of the State of Rhode Island-Division of Public Utilities and Carriers serving in the Governors cabinet.
Chief Lynch holds a master’s degree from Roger Williams University and is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He is also an adjunct professor of law at Roger Williams University and Bristol Community College.