New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
City launches police chief survey to gather residents’ priorities
NEW HAVEN — New Haven launched a survey Wednesday to allow residents to weigh in on the choice of a new police chief as the national search continues for a new top cop.
Mayor Justin Elicker and Chief Administrative Officer Regina Rush-Kittle, speaking to the press at City Hall, said they hoped as many residents as possible would fill out the questionnaire by April 29, when submissions are due.
“We’re hoping to draw a robust number of responses, with open and honest feedback to assist in our process,” said Rush-Kittle. “Our goal is to allow all to provide feedback to us, as the selection of our next police chief impacts the entire New Haven community.”
“We want to hear from you, so please, please, make sure that you fill out these surveys,” said Elicker. “I think it’s helpful, especially if we get a lot of people to respond... to see, with the numbers, how people feel about the areas we’re doing well and the areas we can work harder.”
The survey, available in both English and Spanish, asks residents to rank their priorities for the department and the new chief, discuss the qualities they’d like to see in the next leader of the department and share their thoughts on how the institution should change. Paper versions are available at the New Haven public libraries and can be delivered to City Hall, Elicker said.
The surveys will be tabulated by Ralph Anderson & Associates, a Californiabased search firm that has been contracted to seek the next police chief, and shared with the city, Elicker said. The firm has spoken to alders, police commissioners and Yale police, among others, thus far, Rush-Kittle said.
The city will also be holding two virtual town halls to allow residents to share their thoughts, Elicker said. The first will be held April 12 at 6 p.m.; the second on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Zoom links for the meetings are available on the city’s website.
Those who wish to participate in person can come to City Hall, Meeting Rooms 1 and 2, where the town halls will be livestreamed as well.
The job opening was posted on the city website earlier this week, along with an accompanying brochure, Elicker noted. Applications are due May 8.
Rush-Kittle said the position had also been listed with the FBI National Academy, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Asian Peace Officers Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association.
Interim Chief Renee Dominguez has led the department since Chief Otoniel Reyes retired in March 2021.
Elicker said the search process, which is open to candidates from New Haven and across the country, was proceeding on an appropriate timetable, noting the importance of careful deliberation and community input.
He said he was surprised and displeased by the Board of Alders’ decision to reject the candidacy of Renee Dominuguez in December, noting that New Haven is “politically, a very difficult and challenging city to work in.”
“I didn’t, in the end, agree with the decision. I felt strongly that Chief Dominguez was the right fit,” said Elicker. “I also think it’s important for us to look forward, and we are looking for a new police chief that will clearly not be Chief Dominguez, so let’s put that past behind us and focus on identifying the best person for the job in a collaborative way.”
Elicker said his desired candidate, most importantly, would be able to keep people safe — a state of being that isn’t just about policing, but collaboration, as the city strives to address the needs of residents in a holistic way.
“Having someone that embraces what we believe to be community policing in New Haven, that concept, is crucial. And what that means is not just the relationship that an officer has with the community, but the relationship the community has with the officer,” said Elicker.