Date: Fri 12-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-chief-commission

Full Text:

Search Continues For New Police Chief

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Police Commission is continuing its search for a new police chief to

replace Michael DeJoseph who left the post last month.

Police Commission Chairman Carol Mattegat said Wednesday the commission has

been receiving job applications from people interested in serving as the

town's top law enforcement official.

The commission will continue accepting resumes until April 25, Mrs Mattegat

said.

After all resumes have been received, the commission will hold a meeting to

review the submissions, she said.

It's unclear when the commission will select a new person to be the police

chief, she said. A majority vote of the five-member panel is required to hire

a person.

Two forces are driving the Police Commission's selection of a new chief. The

panel wants to select someone soon. But it also wants to ensure that it takes

the time needed to pick the best possible person for the post.

"We have received some very interesting applications," Mrs Mattegat said.

The salary given to the new chief will be commensurate with the person's

experience, according to Mrs Mattegat. When he left the police department,

Chief DeJoseph was earning $63,970 annually.

Police Captain Michael Fekete, the second in command in the police department,

will serve as acting police chief until June. The commission hopes to have a

new chief hired by then, according to Mrs Mattegat.

Acting Chief Fekete has said he isn't interested in becoming the police chief.

The person to be named chief must have at least a bachelor's degree and must

have at least attained the rank of police lieutenant, Mrs Mattegat said.

Commission members would prefer to hire a person who has experience in the

field of community policing. Community policing is an approach to law

enforcement supported by Mr DeJoseph which encourages a cooperative spirit and

positive relations between police and members of the community.

Community policing aims to have police be helpful to the community, rather

than be restrictive. Commission members would prefer to hire a new chief who

will educate the public, she added.

Mr DeJoseph announced in February he would be leaving the police department to

take a newly-created post with the International Association of Police Chiefs

in Alexandria, Virginia. He started his new job April 1 as the organization's

technical assistance manager. Mr DeJoseph left the Newtown police after 29

years of service, eight years of which he served as chief. Mr DeJoseph was

hired as the town's fifth police officer and worked his way up through the

ranks to become chief.