Jan. 28--NEW HAVEN -- The city's new police chief has informed his three top assistants that he plans to bring in new leadership, meaning the three top cops currently holding the jobs are looking at retiring or resigning.
After an inquiry from the New Haven Register, Chief Dean Esserman confirmed he met privately with two assistant chiefs Thursday and the third several weeks ago and told them of his intentions. He said he had intended to keep those meeting private and let the assistants decide when and how to announce their departures.
"I want to move us in a new direction," said Esserman. "I want to put my own team together."
As for the time frame, Esserman said he'll "work with them" on the timing.
Esserman said he would not discuss who the candidates might be to fill the spots. But in a prepared statement released Friday evening, Esserman said: "I have not brought in anyone from New York or Providence, nor will I."
Esserman met Thursday with Assistant Chiefs Petisia Adger and Tobin Hensgen and informed them he planned to bring in four new assistant chiefs. Since three of the four budgeted spots are filled, the implication was clear.
Assistant Chief Patrick Redding, who just began his 27th year, signaled Thursday after a news conference that he was planning to retire, and stated the chief had been "nothing but a gentleman."
When Esserman took over as New Haven chief in November, he inherited four assistants appointed by previous Chief Frank Limon, who resigned a month earlier mid-contract.
Hensgen was appointed by Limon, who retired from the Chicago police department, in 2010. Hensgen had served 23 years on the Chicago Police Department as an officer.
Redding, John Velleca, a 20-year veteran, and Adger, who also has 20 years, have spent their entire careers in New Haven. They were promoted last April, also by Limon.
Reached Friday, Adger said only that she was "not making any comment." She said she had "not yet" submitted retirement papers.
Also contacted Friday, Hensgen said "with any new administration, changes are part of what transpire."
"If it's the chief's intention to bring in new leadership, I'm sure it is with regard to the best interest of New Haven," he said.
Velleca left suddenly in December.
When he took over, Esserman indicated generally that there would be changes coming at the department as he looked to resurrect community policing in the city. He praised the leadership of the then-four assistant chiefs and that he would "lean" on them for help.
"I didn't rush to judgment," he said Friday, noting that he took two months to get to know his command staff before making any decisions. "I'd like to assemble my own team, and I've taken my time to think about that," he said.
Copyright 2012 - New Haven Register, Conn.
