Elicker Picks Dominguez For Permanent Police Chief

Mayor Justin Elicker has decided he wants Renee Dominguez to serve as the city’s first-ever female permanent police chief. And he tapped an ex-marine and state trooper to serve as a top City Hall aide overseeing public safety.

The mayor announced those choices at an 11 a.m. City Hall press conference Wednesday.

Elicker tapped Dominguez earlier this year to serve as interim chief upon the retirement of Chief Otoniel Reyes. He will now forward Dominguez’s name to the Board of Alders for a confirmation. Based on her performance in the interim role, the mayor chose not to heed suggestions to conduct a search process for a new permanent chief.

Elicker also named a new pick for chief administrative officer, one of the top ​“coordinator” positions in City Hall, overseeing line departments like police, fire, and public works: Regina Rush-Kittle. A military veteran, Rush-Kittle has served as deputy commissioner of the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. She served for 30 years in the state police department before retiring, and she served in Iraq. Her appointment also requires approval from the Board of Alders. The CAO position has been vacant since Scott Jackson resigned from the role in January.

At the press conference, the mayor called both picks ​“extraordinary women” and ​“incredibly experienced leaders” in public safety.

“We are going to be a powerhouse of females,” Dominguez said of her and Rush-Kittle’s appointments.

As interim chief, Dominguez has worked with Elicker to hold weekly press conferences updating the public on efforts to stem gun violence amid an uptick in shootings.

Dominguez has run the department ​“with passion and determination … through some very tough times” this year, Elicker said. ​“Chief Dominguez has proved herself as a strong leader and the right person for the job.” Dominguez has risen through the ranks since joining the force in 2002.

Since her appointment as interim chief, the department lost a series of cops of colors to retirements in top posts. For the first time since 1993, the department has no Black cops in any of the top ranks of chief, assistant chief, or captain. The department undertook an aggressive recruiting campaign for its new training class for new officers, and reported receiving a majority of applications from people of color.

If confirmed by the alders, Dominguez will become the city’s first female permanent chief, as well as the first of any ​“major city” in the state.

“This is historic. It says the chief has worked hard in a career that has traditionally been dominated by men,” Elicker said. ​“She has earned the respect of her colleagues. … She has earned this appointment.”

Dominguez spoke of serving as a model for her two daughters, who are 6 and 3 years old; and to other women seeking careers in law enforcement: ​“You can be whatever you want. You can be whoever you want to be. You can do it.”

Asked whom she might pick to fill vacant assistant chief slots, Dominguez responded that she is looking first to get through the approval process with the Board of Alders before announcing any decisions.

The Rev. Steven Cousin, who chairs the city’s fire commission, praised Dominguez’s appointment at the press conference. He spoke of watching her rise through the department and work with the community. ​“This is who we want as our leader to lead us in a time such as this,” he said. ​“We will follow your leadership. We will follow your vision.”

“She’s proven, she’s tested, she’s reliable. And she’s a partner,” New Haven State’s Attorney Pat Griffin said at the press conference.