Lucy Gellman Photo
Black Lives Matter leader Lia Miller-Granger.
Members of the community plan to protest — in stereo — against the top cop responsible for community policing.
The protest is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. in two locations: City Hall and 1 Union Ave. (police headquarters). The protests call for the removal from office of Police Chief Dean Esserman, who is currently out on sick leave amid complaints about erratic behavior and a failure to discipline other cops who violate people’s rights.
The City Hall protesters plan to march to 1 Union Ave. to join the other group.
Organizers are circulating a petition. It reads: “Mayor Toni Harp: We, the undersigned, demand that as a result of his misleadership of the NHPD and his multiple documented outbursts that Chief Esserman be immediately removed from his position at the New Haven Police Department. Further, we demand an independent review of all civilian complaints filed against any officer during Esserman’s tenure as Chief and that serious and immediate disciplinary action be taken against any officer who has abused their power against our city.”
Rally organizer Catherine John is not linked to a specific activist group, but reached out to several, including Black Lives Matter New Haven, Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ), People Against Injustice, and Unidad Latina en Accion.
A Facebook posting for the rally makes this case: “Despite continuous public outcries, 23 pages citing disruptive behavior, 170 – 42 no confidence vote by the Police Union – Mayor Toni Harp insists upon keeping New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman on the job, exuding confidence in utilizing the ‘progressive discipline’ approach as stated in the City of New Haven Employee Handbook. However, Chief Esserman is not unionized, the Police Commission has no input on anything regarding the Chief of NHPD and, the State of Connecticut is an ‘at will’ employment state, so why, or how is this possible? Given that Mayor Harp is solely responsible and accountable for hiring, disciplining and terminating the Chief of NHPD, Esserman has been given ‘15 days of PAID administrative leave’ to sort out his personal affairs. Really?
“The residents of New Haven as well as other vested stakeholders are not pleased with this at all. This is one of several matters closely tied to City Hall which disconnects the community from matters pertaining to the community, including this ‘community policing’ strategy Esserman boasts continually about.”
Esserman’s contract runs until January 2018. It is believed that Mayor Harp is negotiating a financial deal with Esserman to leave office now.
Assistant Chief Anthony Campbell is serving as acting chief in Esserman’s office.
In an Independent “True Vote” poll, 73.8 percent of readers responding as of Tuesday morning replied that Esserman should not return his job; 17.7 said he should.