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[UPDATED] East Haven Police to Get New Interim Chief

Former Stamford Police Chief Brent Larrabee has been tapped by the town to take over running the embattled department, according to a Hartford Courant report.

Update at 3:50 p.m.

Mayor Maturo just released this public statement on reports that former Stamford Police Chief Brent Larrabee has been chosen as the new acting head of the East Haven Police:

Since Chief Gallo resigned on Friday, I have reached out to many people to discuss the future of the East Haven Police Department, including the possible appointment of an interim Chief. I fully understand the desire of the public in general and our citizens in particular to have information, especially with regard to our Police Department. I expect to have more to share early next week and will not be commenting further until that time.

Update at 2:10 p.m.

Mayor Maturo reportedly told The New Haven Register's that he has "been having fluid discussions" regarding choosing a new acting chief. And that he will not be "confirming or denying" reports about Larrabee.

The Register added however, that one law enforcement source said Larrabee could be sworn in as East Haven's chief as early as Tuesday, with the announcement likely coming on Monday.

Update at 1:40 p.m.

When contacted by East Haven Patch, a representative with the said Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr will not be commenting on the news regarding the appointment of a new acting chief at this time.

And that when the administration is ready to pass along a comment or more information to the press, they will let us know.

Original Story (1:08 p.m.)

The will soon have a new interm chief, according to a report just posted by the Hartford Courant.

According to Courant reporter Dave Altimar, former Stamford Police Chief Brent Larrabee has been tapped by the town to take over running the embattled department on an interim basis while it continues its search for a new permanent head.

East Haven Deputy Chief John Mannion has been running the department's day-to-day operations since Leonard Gallo , following of four East Haven Police officers for of Latino residents and others.

Larrabee served as Stamford's police chief from 2005 until 2010. He currently lives in Florida, according to The Courant.

Luigi (the original) February 8, 2012 at 06:36 pm
Julie it's great that you're getting all this "breaking news" this is the second story you posted today, the first being the cancellation of the school portable buildings. While both speak of things that effect us here in East Haven, neither has anyone in town hall to substantiate any of it. Is The Hartford Courant heading the East Haven information office?
Maybe it's just me, but I would like to see a comment at least saying, "calls to town hall were not returned in regard to this matter" or "officials would only say...." or anything that confirms or leaves to question the accuracy of the story. Otherwise, isn't it just hearsay, even if coming from another media source? We are not the Village Voice here, are we? just asking....
Banana Sam February 8, 2012 at 06:52 pm
"A frequent critic of the Police Department, Tarzia criticized Larrabee for taking frequent trips to Florida during his tenure"- sounds like taco joe has a lot in common with the fng ( new guy ).
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Police-chief-departs-with-warning-315665.php was he ever a street cop? just wondering. i wanted joe to bring in chief wiggum.
TONY February 8, 2012 at 06:57 pm
If Joe Maturo had anything to do with this new hire it can only be bad for all concerned.
Lou February 8, 2012 at 06:59 pm
I thought the new chief had to be of Latin descent.
Christi February 8, 2012 at 07:18 pm
If i'm not mistaken - and please correct me if I'm wrong - didn't Joe head down to Florida after he lost out to April 4 years ago? I believe he owns a condo there - again I may be mistaken - so it makes me wonder if this 'interim' chief may be another drinking buddy of good ol' Joe. I mean - really - you need to go to FLORIDA to find someone? What is wrong with this picture??????
Julie Weisberg (Editor) February 8, 2012 at 08:22 pm
That's a fair question. So, let me explain: When I get breaking news items like this, I tend to post the aggregated breaking news brief to get it up, out and online. And then I work to do my own follow up and/or add additional background and links to related past stories to flesh out the post. So, once I got this story up and set, as you can see I have been adding to it to include more information... And as far as the portables, I do have a call into Superintendent Serio from earlier today to get the latest from him on that. So, as soon as I hear more, I'll let you, and of course all our readers here, know by filing an update. Thanks again for you question, Luigi. It was a good one. I'm glad you asked it.
Luigi (the original) February 8, 2012 at 08:25 pm
and Thank you Julie, for your excellent work on the Patch.
Mitch February 8, 2012 at 08:32 pm
Here is a quote from the Register article about this subject: "Larrabee was respected in Stamford for his work in reaching out to the Latino community there, which comprises about 30 percent of Stamford’s population.". That explains his hiring, don't you think??
Mitch February 8, 2012 at 08:36 pm
Also puts us in better standing with Malloy, since he was the one who hired Larrabee in Stamford. Maybe ol' Dannel will stop bad-mouthing the town now. Not a very professional way for a governor to act. Of course it was better than the way the DOJ acted during their media circus. Embarrassing.
Luigi (the original) February 8, 2012 at 09:01 pm
Good job Bob, thanks for passing that on.
The hardest thing to believe is that the Register actually would PRINT it. I would have expected some tale about how he got trained on Latino affairs while cruising South Beach with the Mayor during one of his supposed "many" trips down there. Don't worry though, within the next fifteen minutes this thread will be chocked-full of negative responses. What I like to call, Shillery!
noname February 8, 2012 at 09:30 pm
BANANA SAM,
Let's drop the Taco bit! It's getting stale to say the least! if you can't handle the fact that people do make errors when they are under the gun, shows you are what you call yourself on this Patch.and also a very antagonistic person...and an avid trouble maker! If you live in this town, you are creating what people desire to stop but you don't take the hint, nor do you try and help this town overcome what others have done to bring the town down! The world constantly revolves around mistakes and you are by no means even close to perfect.
ASmith February 8, 2012 at 11:09 pm
All folks need to give this fella a chance. Give him a few months and we will know if he helps or hurts. Sounds like he is not permanent just interim. Maybe he and Mannion will make a good team and get the pd straightened out. As far as bashin. The reps bashed the lady mayor constantly and never quit, so whats good for the goose is good for the gander. Comes with the job of being the town hall tenant.
Now I callin all Mayors from on now town hall tenant cause we dont want em thinkin they own the place. As far Taco Joe, sorry be that there is gonna stick to him like a fly on pie. Folks will never forget how we made the international press. They be tellin their grandkids bout it. Thats the way it is.
noname February 8, 2012 at 11:50 pm
AS Smith continues his nonsense,.. She too made many mistakes but those many
mistakes are very costly to the tax payers in this town. I think you are hallucinating and acting like a child and you know not when to stop. Your accent is b.s. The former mayor also made headlines across the country with her unlady-like mouth, swearing and attitude. A mayor who showed her true colors! That too will stick like tape which at times, would be also be a good item for the use of your mouth!
Rosie February 8, 2012 at 11:58 pm
noname, I wouldn't waste much time on this Banana Sam. If you click his name, you will see that he comments on article after article from all different patches. He is just someone with not much else to do all day, and just likes to stir the pot. I don't think he even lives in EH and really doesn't matter much. Just some info for you.
Lance Coughlin February 9, 2012 at 12:16 am
Sounds like Maturo's appointee is an Esserman disciple, who as many of us know was a Nick Pastore disciple. The only good thing Pastore even did in New Haven was put Len Gallo in the dog pound. It also sounds like the illegal immigrants in Stamford roamed freely while Larrabee was in charge, even organizing pickup spots for large gatherings of illegal immigrant day laborers.
I would also like to know Larrabee's poice background, did he start off as an administrator like Esserman did? Was he ever a patrolman? Since Malloy is the one who hired Larrabee in Stamford, there is a possibility the mayor received a "suggestion" from Hartford. The Mayor hosed everyone when he hired Gallo, and from the looks of things there is no recovering from it. Get your wallets open and order some learn to speak spanish language cds.
Not Guido February 9, 2012 at 01:45 am
@ Lance Coughlin...I thought you were a detective once. Do a simple google search before posting. Chief Larrabee retired as Framingham MA Chief after a 29 year career (how many did you do?) 13 as Chief..Stamford hired him out of retirement in Florida..
http://www.thepoliceexecutive.com/issue/TBK26.pdf
Lance Coughlin February 9, 2012 at 07:10 am
I simply asked a question but since you responded in a confrontational way I'll bet you a g note that my stats in 10 years out of this one horse town absolotuely crushed his numbers over his 29 years in a town 4X the size. I came in under Duke and served under his successor Criscuolo as well, two hometown boys that were the best chiefs anybody could have asked for. Maturo brought in an out of town clown chief the first time so I'm a little wary of his judgement, therefore I'm asking important questions. I witnessed guys that Gallo promoted never exit their car to foot chase a felon fleeing on foot right in front of them, and guys that stopped at stop lights when dispatched to major calls when citizens were in distress and faced eminent danger. Time on the job doesn't mean squat to me. Its how you did the job that counts. And by the way, have some nuts and post under your name.
Dan McCann February 9, 2012 at 11:50 am
http://www.easthavenvine.blogspot.com/2012/02/east-haven-accuser-quiety-exits-stage.html
Don Charles February 9, 2012 at 01:34 pm
http://www.easthavenvine.blogspot.com/2012/02/east-haven-accuser-quiety-exits-stage.html
If there is anyone out there who has not read this article, you should read it and read it now!!!!
Jack Stacey February 9, 2012 at 06:41 pm
Can someone explain why we're hiring an interim Chief of Police? We already have Ass't Chief Mannion, who I believe is fully capable of running the PD until a permanent chief is found. Chief Larabee can come in and do whatever and then when a permanent chief is named he may have a completely different attitude and style. During the last campaign we heard about having too many chiefs, I don't see a differnce.
Jack Stacey
Dan McCann February 10, 2012 at 04:15 am
http://www.easthavenvine.blogspot.com/2012/02/doj-demography-despots-bully-their-way.html

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