Concord Chief Retires; Acting Chief Announced

About three years after accepting the chief's position, Barry Neal has announced his plans to retire and effectively left the Concord Police Department. 

Town Manager Chris Whelan on Monday confirmed that Neal announced his retirement plans last Friday, Sept. 27, and that Sgt. Jack Kennedy has been appointed acting chief. 

Neal had initially made known his plans to retire in October 2013 back in 2010, when he accepted the chief's position following the retirement of his predecessor Len Weatherbee. However, his departure was abrupt. 

Though his retirement will not be official until mid-October, effectively Neal left the department last Friday, the same day as announcing his plans. 

"We wish him well," Whelan said by phone Monday. "Chief Neal always had the town and the department foremost in his thoughts." 

Sgt. Jack Kennedy was appointed as acting chief on Friday, but Whelan said he plans to bring on an interim chief -- most likely a recently retired chief from the area -- so a search for a permanent replacement can be conducted. 

Whelan said he plans to issue a statement later today, Sept. 30, regarding Neal's retirement. 

Stay tuned to Patch for more on this story as it becomes available.