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The career of one of the police department’s fast-rising stars abruptly ended Monday, as Assistant Police Chief Peter Reichard handed in his resignation papers.
Meanwhile, the last of four assistant police chiefs still planning to be at 1 Union Ave. next month — Stephanie Redding — will run the department on an interim basis, the mayor announced.
Reichard, a 22-year veteran of the department with until recently an unblemished record, was abruptly placed on suspension last Friday. Police Chief James Lewis said he ordered the suspension, and a related investigation, after receiving “numerous” civilian and police complaints about Reichard’s managerial “behavior.”
The incidents involved included a complaint filed by an officer, Matthew Prinz. Prinz charged that Reichard threatened him because he wore flamboyant white shoes to work.
Another related incident: Reichard allegedly emailed a threat to arrest New Haven Register reporter William Kaempffer after Kaempffer wrote about the Prinz case.
Mayoral spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga and Police Chief Lewis confirmed Monday afternoon that Reichard had handed in his retirement papers. She said the retirement takes effect this coming Friday.
Mayorga said the city would have details Tuesday on how much of a pension he would receive.
Reichard was unavailable for comment.
With Reichard’s resignation, the department will no longer investigate his managerial conduct, Lewis said. “There’s no reason for us to do anything else” on the case.
The complaints about Reichard did not involve alleged corruption, according to the chief.
As longtime top cop in the Westville neighborhood, then head of the detective bureau handling major crimes, Reichard enjoyed wide respect in the community. He was promoted last year to one of four assistant chief positions. He had applied to become the new chief after Lewis retires at the end of February.
“He had a distinguished career. He worked hard. He was an addition to the department. It’s disappointing, the events that took place. We’re sad about it,” said Police Commission Chairman Rick Epstein.
The department will now be left with one assistant chief, Redding, when Lewis leaves, unless another is named this month. No finalist has been selected to succeed Lewis as chief, although the search team has identified strong candidates, according to Lewis.
Mayor John DeStefano Monday night called Reichard’s departure “disappointing.” “His behavior was frankly unacceptable,” he said.
The mayor said his focus moving forward will be to find a new police chief.
In the meantime, he said Redding — the only one of four assistant chiefs who’s sticking around — will likely serve as acting chief once Lewis leaves on Feb. 28. Redding appeared with Lewis at the mayor’s State of the City speech Monday night in formal police attire.
“You’re the last one standing,” an alderman said as he shook her hand.