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NORWALK, Conn. — The Norwalk.DailyVoice.com accepts signed, original letters to the editor. Letters may be emailed to letters@dailyvoice.com.
To the Editor,
Police Chief Harry Rilling retired Friday after 41 years of serving the Norwalk Police Department, and I wish him well in future endeavors.
Now we are in the process of deciding who the new chief of police will be. The temporary appointment of the current deputy chief is an appropriate choice by the police commission, which consists of the mayor and his two appointees.
So far, the mayor has failed to articulate any plan or the process for making a permanent selection, except for his statement that the new chief will come from within the current ranks. The mayor in his comments may lead some readers to infer that the choice already has been made.
As a candidate for mayor last year, I took a pro-active position on this issue. I believed then as now, that as the sixth largest city in the state we should conduct a national search for the permanent replacement. We should cast a wide net to select the most qualified candidate. This inclusive search allows candidates from within the Norwalk department to apply as well.
I am happy that The Hour supported this same proposal in its June 20 editorial.
In light of the current problems that our city is facing, residents need to know the selection process will be inclusive, fair and rigorous. Norwalk deserves the best.
Comments (40)
Paige: Wow, Tim, you are one nasty character. I hope you never need the assistance of the Police Department.
Paige, you might need some reading help. Notice it was your comment above that drew my reply.
Nothing about mayor and BOE, or mayor and police commission. My comments were related to the fact that if you think police retaliation is a concern here in Norwalk, then absolutely we need not only to look outside the department for new leadership, but also to change the size and composition of the current police commission, because obviously their oversight of the department has failed. I couldn't conclude anything other than the threat of retaliation from your comment, so perhaps you'd like to clarify it.
Also, I NEVER suggested that could be done by the mayor to increase the commission size, every one knows that requires charter revision. I also never mentioned BOE or the mayors role. Since we are discussing my response, perhaps you would care to clarify your comment to Tim vis a vis "hope you never need assistance of police department"....
Frankly this has to be one of the most bizarre issues I've ever seen debated in City politics. Clearly a new Chief who already knows Norwalk and knows all the officers on the force can start the job without having to climb a big learning curve. That said, why not cast the widest possible net to see what talent is out there? If we're going to pay $200,000+ for a Police Chief, we might as well be certain that we got the best. I support the idea of seeing what the Police Commission thinks of the outside candidates who present themselves, as long as the cost of a nationwide search is not prohibitive.
The reasons I have heard Mayor Moccia cite for not doing a nationwide search are 1) there are plenty of qualified candidates in-house 2) the cost of a nationwide search is very high and 3) it wouldn't be fair to waste the time of outside candidates by interviewing them when we intend to hire a local candidate.
Regarding #1, if that's the case, the qualified internal candidates are still highly likely to come out on top. Regarding #2, it would be good to know the actual cost of such a search, I don't think the mayor has ever shared that with us. Regarding #3, if there is a strong preference for a local candidate but an outside candidate who knocks the Police Commission's socks off could be hired, it's still fair to interview outside candidates. All outside candidates for any position generally know that inside candidates have the advantage.
If you looked, you would see the chief is paid just under 120 thousand a year, not 200. Ray Kelly may get very close to 200 thousand, but not our chief.
Old Timer
I appreciate the correction, $200,000 was an assumption on my part. Are you sure there's no extra duty pay or other income which increases the compensation beyond $120,000?
I wonder how that number compares with other CT municipalities, seems to me like taxpayers are getting a good deal if that's what we're paying for the person who is responsible for our large police force.
There are perks, such as a company car, and certain expenses may be paid for training and conferences, but basically the pay is 120k and the national average is a bit lower. It seems to vary with the size of the departments with LA, NY, and Chicago being the highest. Nobody becomes a cop to get rich, although many are attracted by the security that comes with the health care and pension benefits. In many places, including Norwalk, there is no law requiring law enforcement experience or a specific educational background. In practice, most cities looking for a chief, look for some law enforcement and some college. A record supporting the right political party is a consideration, depending on the party in power, making the appointment.
Harry had a graduate degree and a lot of years in law enforcement.
Chiefs generally serve at the pleasure of whoever makes the appointment and frequently must submit a signed, undated, letter of resignation the mayor can keep handy. I don't know if moccia had such a letter, but the custom is observed in many places. That may explain why we never see any public disagreement, over anything. Nobody ever gets appointed chief who has not already qualified for retirement.
Thanks, that is interesting background information. What happens if a new Mayor is elected from a different party than the old Mayor, does the new Mayor typically dismiss the prior Police Chief for being associated with the wrong party? If so, what would the dismissed Police Chief do, go from being Chief back to being a senior officer?
There is no quick answer to your question. There was a time when a new mayor from another party appointed his own chief and commissioners and the chief in place was told to retire. That may still happen, but is not a hard and fast rule. If the chief is doing a good job and the new mayor has not promised the job to somebody, frequently the chief is kept on. In some places, like New York City, the chief is called the commissioner and there are chiefs working for him, but there is no doubt who runs the dept.
Nobody ever gets the chief's job until he or she is already qualified to retire. There have been cases where chiefs have negotiated very favorable terms when asked to leave, especially where the mayor does not want him or her talking to the press, but I don't recall any police chief going back to a lower rank and working for his replacement.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
HOW MUCH
Tim, I suggest that in the future you read my comments before posting. I basically DISAGREED with the Mayor's position that outside candidates should not be considered.
With regards to your point #3...Why would you go into the national search "knowing that you intend to hire a local candidate" ? That truly would be a waste of evreryone's time.
They should go into it knowing that they intend to hire the best candidate. Otherwise its a complete charade on a par with pretending that anyone other than large political donor City Carting is going to get the trash hauling contract.
I agree with you, they should hire the best candidate, provided that a nationwide search doesn't cost some astronomical number which would leave the City short of funds for other important functions, such as paying police officers.
My point is that local experience is unquestionably a plus, but an outside candidate might be so strong in other areas that it makes up for his or her lack of local experience. I would hope the Police Commission has a criteria for evaluating candidates whereby they are scored in key performance areas, and then for a final tally each area is weighted according to relative importance.
In a job of this size and importance there's one simple rule. You want the best, most qualified person for the job. We have some really good Police Officers in Norwalk. We also have some really good teachers, but you would never limit a search for Superintendent of Schools to just the teachers and administrators in your own city. The probabilities that the best, most qualified person for the job already resides in Norwalk simply do not work in your favor.
JessiePierre, I find your equating this search to "looking for someone with a well written resume and a glimmering smile (that is who we'd end up hiring...let's face it) " to be crass and cynical and indicative of your lack of belief in the ability of our Mayor to conduct a good probing interview or candidate search. How can we be so quick to look outside of our city for the people who haul away our trash and not do the same to insure that we have the very top candidate for the person charged with enforcing our laws?
Lastly, in what was a rough and tumble election for Mayor, I never once saw Andy Garfunkel stoop to rancor or personal attack or base an argument on anything other than the facts involved. Wish we had more like him. I agree with Mr Garfunkel's position stated here. Further, I feel that the search committee should be expanded beyond the Mayor and his two appointed police commissioners and be approached with full transparency.
Norwalk needs the very best we can find and afford. A nationwide search, done right, does not have to be expensive. Finding someone better qualified than likely candidates within the department is not a given, but the taxpayers need to know the effort was made. The people here who make it sound like our department is not doing the job don't know what they are talking about. There is room for improvement, certainly, but it all cost money and significant increases in the police budget are not likely under this administration. Moccia's assurance that the next chief will come from within the dept is, at best, a short sighted bid for an endorsement.
A search committe should be appointed, decide what they are looking for in candidates and begin the search for the best possible chief we can find, and afford.
this is nothing new. it serves to curry favor with police union and secure their support
If Moccia doesn't do a nationwide search for the best candidate for chief we need to have a recall election of Moccia . Also we need to replace Moccia's rubber stamp useless police commission.
You've been advocating a recall election for Moccia on the School Board, on the School Budget (neither of which the mayor has direct involvement in) and now the Police Chief. Believe it or not, there is actually a Personnel Department and a protocol for these types of jobs.
Rather than threatening to cost the City thousands of dollars on a recall, why not check out what the protocol is for this? If you were actually at all seriously concerned about the candidates for the Police Chief, you'd be talking to the Personnel Committee, but since you aren't, I have to assume that you are woefully unfamiliar with how the City Government works. Even the most basic reading of the Charter shows that Norwalk has a "strong" Council and a "weak" mayor. Try actually finding out the facts.
Personell dept. has no part in mayoral appointments, although some need council approval.
You are clearly lost.
We have 3 police commissioners and one of them being the mayor. The other 2 are appointed by the mayor and do not require Council approval., With this in mind all the other 2 commissioners are is the mayors rubber stamp. So with this said the mayor has complete control over who is appointed next chief . I would suggest that you take your own advise "I have to assume that you are woefully unfamiliar with how the City Government works. Even the most basic reading of the Charter "
So if the mayor refuses to do a nationwide search for the best candidate this clearly is a failure of his duties as mayor and a recall election must be held.
I along with most in Norwalk do not feel that the NPD has any qualified candidates which is evident in the extremely low violent unsolved crime rate...ALMOST ZERO.
RECALL ELECTION OF THE MAYOR IS THE ANSWER
Pointless to comment. You despise the Mayor, you despise the police. You're entitled to your opinion. Good luck.
Sure it is as I have proved you wrong.
Andy, if it is your opinion that we should go looking for someone with a well written resume and a glimmering smile (that is who we'd end up hiring...let's face it) then you are not winning anyone over. You proposed this last year and you lost. You don't have faith in Norwalk and you'll throw stones at anything related to Norwalk, because you are not mayor. That is a loser's attitude.
You have no qualifications to comment on policing. You don't even have a college degree. You have never had a job managing or leading people. Unless you count the ladies who work in the clerk's office. Like I said...
Way to go Jess you probably just convinced many Republicans what a poor choice we all made last election.
For those of us who have seen enough police and crime scene tape still wrapped around street signs and poles from the last shootings and stabbings simply ripped off but never completely removed that gives South Norwalk some kind of urban art lends the impression you have never actually seen the fire dept wash the blood down your street.
Who would you like to see run the Police Department? I know three men who have given years to Norwalk,have no chance of filling Harry's shoes yet would make the city safer my using what they already know.You honestly think one man will go over without problems to those who are just as qualified?
Thank You mayor Moccia for your comments.
I think you make a very good point Andy. There is no reason to limit the search to only inside candidates. Especially with all the unsolved violent crime that has happened in town recently. Norwalk is at a very critical point right now, we need the best possible person to head up our police department.
Bosco - You make this sound like it's Crime City, USA. It's not. And kindly remember that unlike the TV shows, solving a crime takes time. The police can not just go out and lay hands on someone, arrest them and expect it to stick in court inside a half hour or an hour.
While I agree that we need the best possible person to head up the Police Department, I absolutely refuse to run down the members of that department by inferring they are incompetent.
Unlike the TV show crime NEVER gets solved in Norwalk I think the number 11 is correct of the murder of the past 4 years
ONE SOLVED.
Not to mention the hundreds of shooting UNSOLVED.
All we have heard is excuses why the NPD can not do the job that they are overpaid to do. Strange how other cities, towns, and Moccia urban centers with professional police deportments get past the excuse of the "no snitch" rule and solve crime which is evident by the prisons being full.
You are so right. Also let us not forget the many many cops themselves that have been arrested during the past several years. This just goes to prove what a mess the NPD is. We need a chief from outside the old boys club of the NPD that will clean house. Strange how we look on the outside for every other manager in town (fire chief, tax collector, finance director Head of the DPW, Superintendent of Schools) but not for the police, makes you wonder why????.
Clean house ? The chief does not have the authority to clean house. Only when he has proof of misfeasance or malfeasance can he ask the commission to fire a police officer. You might be surprised how often the chief has enough evidence to convince an officer it is a good Idea to resign, and the department gets rid of an poorly performing officer without going through the process of a firing.
Of course, if there is evidence of criminal behavior, an arrest is made and the officer may be encouraged to resign before there is a conviction, but the chief cannot arbitrarily fire anybody.
The only reason to look outside the department would be if there were no qualified candidates from within, which is not the case here in Norwalk. Ask those from Stamford, New Haven, and other medium size cities how their "outside hires" have worked for them.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police currently lists 21 openings for Police Chiefs throughout the country. Granted, some of the small towns listed may be like Mayberry RFD, but surely you can’t insult them all by implying the only reason to search externally is when you have no competence in-house.
If you were using business sense instead of political sense, you might consider how often major corporations bring in external leadership, usually not for lack of internal qualified candidates. Consider the benefits of having an outsider who is not entrenched in the personal ties that are inherent in police work - being able to make the tough, unpopular decisions that are often needed to create real change and measurable results is almost always easier when you haven't "come up through the ranks" with people you manage.
And much in the same way that investors often demand change in the face of lackluster results, taxpayers often want new and enthusiastic leaders who bring a fresh perspective and no baggage.
Diane
Excellent posts as always.
Norwalk has no qualified candidates . The NPD is a compete and total failure. Simply look at all the shootings, stabbings and killings..ALL UNSOLVED BUT ONE. We need change at the NPD from outside the old boys club that will clean house from the top down. We must keep in mind that all the real cops left as soon as they could because of the mess the NPD is.
That is part of the "grass is always greener" philosophy. The solvability rate is consistent or better than most other departments of te same size. Nationwide searches are not cheap and rarely do departments find candidates much better than internal candidates and they often only stay a couple of years starting the process all over again. Again look at other departments similar in size that have gone outside. Talk to Stamford or New Haven Officers.
"The solvability rate is consistent or better than most other departments of te same size"
Tell us lust where did you get this information from. Oh thats right you made it up.
Wow, Tim, you are one nasty character. I hope you never need the assistance of the Police Department.
Paige, why on earth would you say such a thing? Do you think there is retaliation here for daring to critique the NPD or Mayor? If so, then perhaps you just spoke volumes to exactly why a national search would be best - nay, necessary - and exactly why we need a 5 or 7 person police commission, with a composition that fairly represents the citizens of Norwalk.
Diane -
If you had taken the time to read my earlier comments, you would know that Tim has been advocating a full recall for the Board of Education and the Mayor over the school situation. And you, of all people, should be aware that the Mayor is an ex-officio of the Board and only votes to break ties. He has nothing to do with the BOE budgetary matters other than presenting his budget at the very beginning.
Come on, Diane, surely you aren't telling me that you don't know the composition of the Police Commission is dictated by either City Ordinance or the City Charter? I find that extremely hard to believe. It's not the Mayor's call to increase or decrease the Board. After all the meetings you have sat through, the core Norwalk Charter concept of a "weak" Mayor and "strong" Council apparently hasn't gotten through.
Of course, Tim could petition for a recall of the Mayor, which he desperately seems to want to do, and that will cost the Town a bundle. However, I think Tim would have a really hard time showing cause for a recall. But, heck, Diane, if it would make you and Tim happy to have the City shell out for a forensic audit of the BOE and a recall rather than having that money go to the schools or paving the roads, then go for it.
A forensic audit would be money well spent as this is the ONLY way to find out if a crime has been committed or not. However for some strange reason our mayor seems to think that crime in any shape or form is of no importance. Which is clear by him not wanting the best candidate for police chief
CAN YOU SAY RECALL ELECTION.....
Regarding clarification of my comment to Tim about never needing the help of the police department. It's really very simple. Tim despises them. That's the beginning, middle and end. No matter what the police do, he despises them.
No you are wrong. I do not despise the police at all. What I despise is crime and how the NPD has failed to control crime . I pay taxes and a lot of them and expect the police to do what they are overpaid to do and the NPD has done ZERO. I would suggest that going forward you do not speak for others and instead speak for yourselves as you have made a fool of yourself once again.