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Roberts To Retire

By Jenna Carlesso

September 23, 2011

Here is the city's press release. Check courant.com for updates throughout the day.

PEDRO E. SEGARRA

MAYOR

CHIEF ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

NEWS AND COMMUNITY RELEASE

(September 23, 2011) --- Today, Chief of Police Daryl K. Roberts informed Mayor Pedro E. Segarra that, after a distinguished 30-year career, he will be retiring from the Hartford Police Department as of December 31, 2011, when his current contract ends. Chief Roberts has served in the capacity of Chief of Police of Connecticut's Capital City since July 2006. During his tenure, Part 1 crime decreased from 10,467 incidents per year to 7,390, a 29.4% reduction.

Over the course of his tenure, Chief Roberts instituted a Truancy Reduction Program that got kids off the street and back into the classroom; made the Sex Offender Registry Unit number one in the state for compliance; implemented a domestic violence unit and was one of the architects of Hartford's Neighborhood Policing Plan. He received numerous community awards, including from the Lions Club, the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Leadership Greater Hartford, and the Collin Bennett/Marcus Garvey Award. He has been recognized locally by Hartford Magazine, Charter Oak College and the CT NAACP.

The Chief said that while the decision is a difficult one, he felt providing notice now affords the Mayor and the community sufficient time to properly plan for the future. "I have always placed service to the community first and will continue to work every day to my fullest ability--- until my retirement--- on the public safety issues that matter most to the people of this great city," says Chief Roberts. "Few people have had the chance to achieve their dreams and goals. I'm from a family of eight in the North End of Hartford. To have had this opportunity has been an honor and a privilege."

Mayor Segarra thanked Chief Roberts for his years of service, "The Chief's dedication is reflected in the hard work, achievements and honors he has received. We will now begin the challenging search to find his successor. We will continue to draw upon his skills and leadership while we undertake this process. I intend to work with the community to develop an open and transparent process to secure the most highly qualified candidate."

After the Mayor fully assesses the situation, consults with City Council and obtains community feedback, he will put forth a process in which the next Chief of Police for the HPD will be named.