New Haven’s about to get a new chief. It’s unclear whether it’s getting new assistant chiefs.
That was the word Wednesday night at an update on changes at the police department.
City Chief Administrative Officer gave the update to the Board of Aldermen’s Public Safety Committee.
He said the search for a new chief to replace James Lewis, who left last week, is continuing apace. Finalists are being interviewed. Stephanie Redding is serving as acting chief in the meantime.
Redding is otherwise an assistant chief. She was one of four — until the past two months. Now suddenly three of the four assistant chief slots are vacant.
The department created the four assistant positions two years ago at the recommendation of an outside consultant group called PERF (Police Executive Research Forum) as part of a larger plan to remake the department. At the time officials endorsed the idea and said the department needs four chiefs.
Fast forward to 2010. Smuts told the aldermen Wednesday night that he doesn’t know if the department will fill those vacant slots.
“Those choices will have to be made by the new chief,” Smuts said. “If that structure is still one that makes sense.” He predicted that the chief will keep the four assistants.
How would overall management change, he was asked, if the new chief decides he wants only one or two assistants?
“I don’t know what that benefit of that change would be, but that would be on the new chief,” Smuts responded. “The next chief will be the one who makes decision on all vacancies.” But the administration would like to be kept in the loop. he added..
Smuts reported that finalists are in their second round of interviews.
The finalists for the new chief’s position all come from outside the department. There were no internal candidates.
Smuts pointed out that some top cops were promoted within the last two years. Still new in their positions, they may not be ready to move up to chief yet. He said he’s confident the next chief will come from with the department.
why is it that every time i feel like i like new haven, someone raises taxes or something bizarre happens with the PD's leadership? it's like 2005 all over again.