Print

Hartford Searches For New Police Chief

Mayor Pedro Segarra Targets February Hiring

By Jeff Cohen

November 10, 2011

In September, Hartford's police chief announced he'd be retiring at the end of the year. Now, as WNPR's Jeff Cohen reports, city officials say a new chief won't be selected by the time the old one leaves.

Daryl Roberts is retiring after 30 years on the force and more than five years as the city's chief. His contract expires on December 31. Roberts announced his retirement just before Mayor Pedro Segarra released the results of an outside investigation that said the police department had serious management issues. In better news, city crime statistics show a significant decrease in gun violence following the installation of an investigative team in conjunction with the state.

Now, though, city officials are outlining the process for choosing the chief’s replacement. First, the city is looking for a consultant to manage a search process. Officials say that consultant could be chosen by the end of the year, and that Mayor Segarra wants to have a new chief in place by February – at least a month after Roberts leaves.

The mayor’s office says that may mean an interim chief.