(Daily Hampshire Gazette- Samuel Gelinas) After returning from a recent trip to Israel, state Sen. John Velis found himself unable to sleep. So to burn off some energy he headed to what he expected would be an empty gym at 4 a.m.
“What do I see? The good captain, benching,” recalled Velis, referring to Brian Keenan, then a captain in the Springfield Police Department, who on Tuesday was sworn in as Holyoke’s new police chief.
Like many who spoke at Keenan’s swearing-in ceremony, Velis kept alive a rumor that Holyoke’s new police chief doesn’t sleep.
“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,” Velis said.
Keenan was introduced to the community as a cornerstone both professionally and personally. Holyoke officials and Hampden County dignitaries touted Keenan — a veteran officer of almost 30 years, including eight as captain with Springfield police — as someone who will serve as a tireless watchdog for the city of 48,000 and a department that includes 124 officers.