New Deputy Chief Robert Kirchner, center, with Deputy Chief Thomas Browne, left, and Police Chief Michael Kent. (Photo Courtesy Burlington Police Department) 
New Officer Michael Ricci, center, with Deputy Chief Thomas Browne, left, and Police Chief Michael Kent. (Photo Courtesy Burlington Police Department) 
New Officer Christopher Kelly, center, with Deputy Chief Thomas Browne, left, and Police Chief Michael Kent. (Photo Courtesy Burlington Police Department)
BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent and Deputy Chief Thomas Browne are pleased to announce the promotion of a new Deputy Police Chief and the hiring of two new Officers.
Robert Kirchner was officially appointed Deputy Chief during the Select Board meeting on Monday, June 28, while Officers Christopher Kelly and Brian Ricci were appointed as Officers. Deputy Chief Kirchner will succeed Deputy Chief Browne, who will be sworn in as the Department’s next Chief on Wednesday, June 30.
Deputy Chief Robert Kirchner
Deputy Chief Kirchner, a 1982 Burlington High School graduate, joined the Department in 1989 as a Patrol Officer. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2002, to Lieutenant in 2011, and to Captain in 2018.
Most recently, in his role as Captain, Kirchner managed and directed the Patrol, Detective and Traffic Divisions and the scheduling office. As Deputy Chief, he will manage day-to-day operations of all facets of the Department. He will be responsible for recruitment, hiring and training; handle internal affairs investigations; and will oversee the Department’s administrative functions.
Deputy Chief Kirchner received his bachelor’s degree in business management from Suffolk University in 1988 and earned a master’s degree in criminal justice administration in 2000 from Western New England University. Deputy Chief Kirchner completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development course in 2013 and is a 2016 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum.
He also has been active in his community, serving as a Burlington Youth Hockey coach for more than 25 years. He is the son of the late Robert and Patricia Kirchner. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons.
“Deputy Chief Kirchner has been a leader in both the Town of Burlington and Department for many years,” Deputy Chief Browne said. “He will help ensure our officers perform at the highest levels, while holding the Department to the highest standards.”
Officer Christopher Kelly
Officer Kelly has worked in the Nantucket Police Department since 2013. He was promoted from Officer to Detective in 2018. Officer Kelly has served on the SWAT team and Honor Guard. He was one of several officers to receive the department’s Meritorious Service Award in 2014, honored for de-escalating a potentially life-threatening situation without use of force.
Officer Kelly earned his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2012. He is a 2013 graduate of the Boylston Regional Police Academy.
Officer Brian Ricci
Officer Ricci has worked as a Patrolman in the Bedford Police Department since 2019. He interned with the Burlington Police Department in 2018, and is a 2019 graduate of the Lowell Police Academy.
Officer Ricci earned his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2018. He is currently working on his Master of Arts degree in Homeland Defense, also at University of Massachusetts Lowell. He also is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician.
“Officer Kelly and Officer Ricci bring a depth of experience, knowledge, perspective, and skills to the Department,” Deputy Chief Browne said. “They reflect the mission of the Department and the core values of the Town of Burlington, and I look forward to working with them.”