The following is a press release from the East Haven Mayor's Office.
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. has released the names of the five finalists for the position of Chief of Police for the East Haven Police Department.
The finalists are: Jamie Fields, Brent Larrabee, Maurice Richards, James M. Viadero, and Edward Welch.
Each finalist will have the opportunity to interview with Mayor Maturo shortly after the New Year and, once Mayor Maturo has made his decision, the Mayor’s Office will make an announcement of the selection.
“This process has been inclusive, professional, diverse, and thorough,” said Mayor Maturo. “Five highly-experienced candidates clearly made it to the top of the list during this process. I look forward to announcing the leader for the East Haven Police Department by mid-January.”
Pursuant to the the responsibility to appoint a new chief is vested in the Mayor.
However, to ensure a fair, transparent, and thorough vetting process, Mayor Maturo sought out Strategic Policy Partnership, LLC, an independent firm, to facilitate the search for a new chief.
Maturo explained, “The appointment of a new chief is a critical decision and I and my administration have exercised due diligence to ensure that the next permanent Chief of Police will have the skills and enthusiasm to lead our department forward.”
The choice of an independent firm also came at the suggestion of the Department of Justice, which made recommendations regarding community input in the process.
Maturo continued, “To improve the integrity of the search process and to establish a more collaborative relationship with the Department of Justice, the Town sought suggestions from the DOJ regarding the search.
The Town incorporated most of those suggestions into its search plans and we are pleased that the DOJ has since been satisfied with the search.”
The search started some months ago when the Town selected the Strategic Policy Partnership, LLC to assist with the collection and review of applications.
There were nearly 100 applications, which were narrowed to a group of 11 semi-finalists following review of applications and blind assessments of answers submitted by candidates regarding policing strategies and knowledge of community policing and other relevant issues.
A selection committee, consisting of community residents, clergy, and police professionals was formed to interview the 11 semi-finalists and to recommend five finalists to the Mayor.
The selection committee’s membership included the following individuals:
Marlene Asid, an East Haven Resident and member of the Board of Finance;
Noreen Clough, an East Haven resident and member of the Board of Finance;
John DeCarlo, Professor at the University of New Haven and former Chief of Police, Branford, Connecticut;
Hernando Diosa, an East Haven resident and editor of La Voz Hispana;
Glenda Gonzalez, an East Haven resident and health and human service professional;
Duane Levello, Chief of Police, Darien, Connecticut;
Fr. Gerald Masters, of St. Clare’s Church, East Haven.
The Mayor’s office has released the following information regarding the final candidates:
Jamie Fields is an Adjunct Professor at Wayne State University. He was formerly a Deputy Chief of the Detroit Police Department and commanding officer of risk management, labor relations, legal affairs and consent judgment compliance activities for the department. He joined the Detroit Police Department in 1975, rising through the ranks before retiring in 2010. He holds a J. D. degree and is a member of the Michigan Bar Association, NAACP, and a past member of the Center for Law Enforcement Ethics.
James Viadero is a Captain with the Bridgeport Police Department (Connecticut) and Commander of the Detective Division. He joined the department in 1985 and rose through the ranks. He is also a Professor at Sacred Heart University and a graduate of the Senior Management Institute of the Police Executive Research Forum, as well as the FBI National Academy. He holds a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude from Sacred Heart University. He is a fluent Spanish speaker.
Edward J. Welch is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Departments. Previously he served as Chief of Police of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police. He has served as supervisor in the New York City Police Department (NYPD). He holds a Master’s Degree from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York in Justice Administration and is a candidate for a Master’s Degree in Security Studies from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Brent B. Larrabee is the interim Chief of Police in East Haven, Connecticut. He previously served as a Police Officer in Framingham, Massachusetts, rising through the ranks to Chief of Police, a position which he held for 14 years. He served as Interim Chief of Police in Westwood, Massachusetts and as Chief of Police in Stamford, Connecticut from 2005 to 2010, working with now-Governor Malloy. He served as a technical assistant for the U.S. Department of Justice to the Nigerian Police Force (Africa) and is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Framingham State University and a B. S. Degree (with honors) from Northeastern University.
Maurice Richards is a Lieutenant of Police with the Chicago Police Department where he is a Watch Commander of the 4th District, having responsibility for 125 police officers. He has been with the Chicago Police Department for 21 years. He holds a Doctor of Education degree from Northern Illinois University, a Masters of Criminal Justice degree from Chicago University, a Masters of Public Administration degree from Governor’s State University, and a B.A. Degree from Chicago State University. He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute of the Police Executive Research Forum.
