New Haven police chief will retire following judge’s order

NEW HAVEN — New Haven’s acting police chief announced Tuesday that she will retire following a judge’s order for her to resign because she has held the interim job too long according to the city charter.

Renee Dominguez said her last day on the job will be Friday, ending a two-decade career with the department.

Also Tuesday, Mayor Justin Elicker named Regina Rush-kittle, the city’s chief administrative officer, as the new interim police chief as the city searches for a permanent chief. Rush-kittle is a former state public safety deputy commissioner who served with state police for 28 years.

Dominguez became acting chief after the retirement of Otoniel Reyes last June. She had been on track to become the first woman to permanently lead the New Haven Police Department, having been nominated by Elicker.

But in December, the city’s Board of Alders rejected the nomination after some residents raised concerns about increasing violent crime in the city and low diversity in the department.

Last month, a judge ruled Dominguez must step down because the city charter prohibits acting city officials from holding the temporary jobs for more than six months. Elicker disagreed with the decision.