Paul Bass Photos
New Acting Chief Otoniel Reyes (left) with Anthony Campbell.
New Haven’s cops sent their departing chief off “with love” Friday — and they meant it.
They did so at a farewell party on the third floor of 1 Union Ave. for Anthony Campbell (pictured above).
Friday was Campbell’s last day as chief. Dozens of officers filled the floor’s common area to pay tribute to a man known for his decency and equanimity, respected by all sides of the often contentious world of policing for the way he brought stability and kindness to the department during his two and a half years in charge.
The son of a Riker’s Island corrections officer and a man she had guarded in prison, Campbell worked his way through Yale and then Yale Divinity School, becoming both a minister and a cop. Then he worked his way up to chief.
Crime fell to record lows during Campbell’s tenure running the department. At the same time, uncertainty over future rollbacks in health benefits and tempting higher salaries in other departments have led dozens of cops to resign or retire, Campbell among them. He became a forceful advocate for rank and file cops looking for better pay and benefits so they can remain in New Haven.
Along the way, he managed to navigate a high-profile position and make tough decisions without making enemies. He now continues his career as an inspector in the state’s attorney’s office.
“It’s fitting we send the chief off with some love,” Otoniel Reyes (pictured with Campbell at the gathering) said as he handed Campbell a plaque of appreciation at Friday’s event. Reyes now steps in as acting chief.
“I have every confidence that [Reyes] will continue the tradition of running our police force to assure that people are safe in our community,” Mayor Toni Harp, who appointed him, said Friday. Harp said the process of naming a permanent chief — which last time stretched out over nine contentious months — will be shorter this time, probably take a few months, and may not include a national search.
Friday’s hour-long gathering was filled with hugs …
… cake, and heartfelt tributes.
Asst. Chief Racheal Cain (pictured) tried to hold back tears as she bid Campbell farewell. She failed.
Campbell was Cain’s classmate in the police academy 21 years ago.
“Over the past 21 years, we’ve leaned on each other so much. We’ve seen loved ones pass away. We’ve seen tragedy in this place. We’ve helped each other through our personal issues. I don’t think I would ever have made it here without you. You’ve guided me. You’ve given me many opportunities. Being your assistant chief, I’ve made some mistakes. You gave me the opportunity. You helped me overcome. I think you’ve made me a better person and a better police officer,” Cain told Campbell.
“I love you. I wish you the best. And I’m gonna miss you.”
Assistant Chief Herb Johnson, another member of that academy class 21 years ago, spoke of one of Campbell’s defining moments on the force: The night a fleeing crook drove into him, catapulting him into the air, and almost killing him. Campbell recovered and returned to the force. And he convinced a judge to shorten the sentence of his near-killer — displaying the compassion and mercy at the heart of Campbell’s interpretation of community policing. (Read more about that here.)
Recently retired Officer David Hartman stopped by and recalled that same incident. Hartman was the first officer to respond to the scene — and, he revealed Friday, may have “corrected” Campbell’s “vision of God” in the process.
Hartman recalled how he came upon Campbell unconscious, “lying on his back beneath a 10-foot chain link fence.” Then Campbell, who was out of it, opened his eyes — and saw Hartman. Which brought a stunned expression to his face.
“Who did you think I was?” Hartman asked Campbell in front of those gathered Friday, in a rehearsed exchange.
“I thought,” Campbell responded, without a missing beat, “he was Jesus.”
Now-Acting Chief Reyes spoke of watching Campbell behind the scenes as he confronted personal attacks and controversies.
“The way he handled everything was with grace. Always smiling. Never wanting to be rancorous with anyone,” Reyes said. “Through adversity, through challenges, he kept his character. He kept his integrity. He never did anything to hurt anyone. He never did anything for the wrong reasons. He always did his best for the right reasons. He tried to galvanize us. He tried to bring us together.”
As he has in recent months as retirement neared, Campbell sounded as much like a minister in the pulpit as he did a law enforcement official as he delivered his own remarks.
“You’ve been there not only through craziness on the streets, but you’ve been there, when I’ve been hurt, in the hospital. That’s what family is,” he said. “This has been such a blessing, such an honor, and privilege to be able to be involved in your lives and to have you touch my life. Thank you for giving me a piece of your soul. And thank you for allowing me to give you a piece of mine.”
To his watching wife and children (pictured), Campbell added: “I look forward to spending some cuddle time with you.”
When the speeches concluded, Campbell took charge of the dessert.