The names of the five finalists for the chief of the East Haven Police Department have been released.
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. released the list, which includes Jamie Fields, Brent Larrabee, Maurice Richards, James M. Viadero and Edward Welch.
There were nearly 100 applications and the pool was narrowed to 11 semi-finalists. A selection committee then interviewed the 11 semi-finalists and recommended five finalists to the mayor.
Each of the finalists will have the opportunity to interview with Maturo shortly after the New Year and the mayor will make his decision.
“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,” Maturo said.
Former Chief Leonard Gallo retired last year amid a federal probe into racial profiling allegations.
Larrabee, the former Stamford police chief, was named acting chief after Gallo left.
The Department of Justice recommended an independent search firm and community input in the process and Maturo sought out Strategic Policy Partnership, LLC, to facilitate the search for a new chief.
“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,” Maturo said.
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.
In 2010, he was up for chief of police in Dallas, Albany, New York Lakeland, Florida and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, according to reports.
James Viadero is a captain with the Bridgeport Police Department in 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. Welch was also a finalist for the Albany chief of police job. http://blog.timesunion.com/crime/category/albany/page/14/
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. In 2012, Richards interviewed for the chief of police job in St. Cloud. Minnesota.
Photo Credit: AP
