New Haven Independent

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 25, 2008 6:39 PM

I Like Redding I think this is a good thing! I truly believe that she cares for this city and the people that live here. Is this a trial run?? Congrates on the Temp position!

Posted by: Bill Saunders | March 26, 2008 6:40 AM

It seems to me that one of the biggest problems we have in this city is NOT promoting from within. (Think Kelly Murphy)

I would much rather have a capable, respected human within the department take this charge, than some complete outsider, with no knowledge of our city, plus a big 'corporate-sized' price tag.

Though I must admit, that new Wendy's commercial for 'The Baconator' does look tempting.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 26, 2008 10:06 AM

Bill you are right. We have several good candidates for this position. John Prokop from PW is at the top of the list as was as Redding I am sure we can all list people from New Haven that would fill this slot better than some out of towner that knows nothing about the city. That is what confuses me. Would it not benefit the department to have someone that really knows New Haven? And really cares about it! Which the 2 I have listed do!

Posted by: The Insider | March 26, 2008 10:06 PM

Cerdarhill

You mentioned two names the current chief ( by default ), and John Procop.

I have to admit I don't know much about John, other then he's not well liked at PW's or from his past job at S.C.S.U.

The current chief in waiting Redding, you say you like her, what has she done that you like. She's been taken care of since she became a cop. She was a downtown cop, she was assigned to the horses, both as a rookie and she hidden in the department ever since.

Her rise through the department wasn't because she was a great cop, it was the fact that she the daughter to Chief Johnson and his political backing out of West Haven, that runs through the mayor's office right here, just like Procop.

They both have political backing, and the sad part it's business as usual, not the deserving candidates like Brian Norwood or Joe Streeto, either one would bring morale up and return the department to the way it once was.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 27, 2008 9:22 AM

Joe Streeto totally forgot about him. Knew his dad along time ago in another life. Good People. We are looking for people that can Manage the department, that is the key... those are the skills I am interested in, not on the street cop skills but manage it. That is why I back them. Did not know about the stuff you mentioned, thanx for the info.

Posted by: david streever | March 27, 2008 3:35 PM

I think our current police department--between corruption, failure to enforce traffic violations, & ortiz legacy--needs outside help.

I took the city looking outside the department as a signal that they were fed up with a difficult police department.

As someone working as a volunteer & attending meetings in City Hall, I've seen time & again that the police force & city hall rarely seem to be in agreement. A cyclist gets run down by a driver, who admits to seeing him but illegally turning anyway directly through his path, and the police officer gives him a verbal warning...

That seems out of touch to me. The police department thinks it's appropriate, and city hall seems to think it's out of touch, too.

I say bravo for going outside the department. With all the recent scandals & Ortiz forgetting about the community policing he loved before he became Chief, I think it's a great decision to go outside of the entrenched local community & bring in someone with a fresh perspective.