As a lifelong resident of Lynn, this community has always been home to me. It is an honor to serve as Chief of Police in the city where I grew up, raised my family, and have spent my career serving others.
For three decades, I have had the privilege of serving alongside the dedicated men and women of the Lynn Police Department. I am proud of their commitment, professionalism, and the work they do every day to keep our community safe. As Chief, my commitment is to support our officers and civilian staff, provide them with the training and resources they need, and ensure we continue to serve with integrity, respect, compassion, and fairness.
Public safety is a shared responsibility. Building trust requires us to listen, be accessible, treat people with dignity, and work together to address the concerns that matter most to our residents. We will continue to strengthen our relationships with our neighborhoods, businesses, schools, community organizations, and public safety partners while responding to the evolving needs of our city.
We recognize that effective policing involves more than enforcement. It means being present in our community, addressing problems before they grow, supporting those in crisis, and holding ourselves accountable for the service we provide. We will continue to look for ways to improve, learn from our experiences, and make decisions that reflect the needs and values of the people we serve.
This website is one way we can keep you informed, provide access to important information and resources, and maintain open lines of communication with our community. I encourage you to explore the site, stay connected with us, and reach out when you have questions, concerns, or ideas.
I am honored and humbled to serve as your Chief of Police. My commitment is to our officers, our residents, and the city we call home. Together, we will continue working to make Lynn a safer, stronger, and better community for everyone.
Chief Chris Kelly
Lynn Police Department
About Chief Christopher Kelly
Chief Christopher Kelly was promoted on September 19, 2026, and became the Chief of the Lynn Police Department. Since joining the department in July 1997, Chief Kelly has served in nearly every major role within the organization, including Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Public Information Officer, Internal Affairs Investigator, Lieutenant and Division Shift Commander across all three patrol divisions, Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division, and Deputy Chief of Police. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience in patrol operations, criminal investigations, professional standards, personnel development, community engagement, and executive leadership. He has led complex investigations, major public safety events, and organizational initiatives while building partnerships with city officials, public safety agencies, courts, prosecutors, schools, service providers, and community organizations.
Chief Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Stonehill College and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England College. A lifelong resident of Lynn, Chief Kelly’s commitment to public service began before his law enforcement career through his work at the Lynn Special Needs Camp during high school and college. He has continued to serve the community through decades of coaching youth sports, including baseball, basketball, and football. Chief Kelly’s leadership philosophy emphasizes strong policies, active supervision, continuous training, and clear accountability as the foundation for exceptional police service, public trust, and organizational excellence.