The most important decisions regarding the Police Dept.(hiring, firing, promotions, discipline) are made by the Board of Police Commissioners, not the Chief of Police or even the Mayor.
Is there a Lack of safety on NB streets? Have you been to NB? While in college, we have lived in a variety of cities, all over the country, and throughout CT, we believe that the NBPD is one of the finest bunch of public servants we've experienced.
We don't know whether of not the NBPD has internal problems, but you are dead wrong if you think they're not getting the job done.
Also, as stated; The most important decisions regarding the New Britain Police Department (hiring, firing, promotions, discipline) are made by the Board of Police Commissioners, not the Chief of Police or even the Mayor of New Britain.
The Mayor appoints the Board of Police Commissioners. More importantly the Mayor supervises the Chief and the police in general. Stewart does not deserve all the blame by any stretch but this is not a few bad apples, these are a handful of bad leaders with papers trails a mile long.
Of course I need to chime in here. ANY organization ANYWHERE has personnel issues. Government, private sector, political groups - everyone / everywhere. This article states 20 people left in 10 years. Is that shocking to you in an organization of 158 (authorized)? Some officers simply find NB too demanding for what they desire in a job. The article also states that we (the city) have not on-boarded lateral transfer officers; however does not address the fact that civil service rules did not allow this until the Chief and I pushed for over two years to be able to do that. This just became an ability this calendar year. Our first hire in this program is an officer with 5 years experience from from NYPD. He has a brother in the department. These facts seem to escape the press. One sided articles wherein the other side can not comment until the situation is adjudicated in legal proceedings get a lot of attention on the front page. When the dust settles you usually find the result on Page 18 in a single paragraph. Remember the vote of no confidence on Chief Carr of the NBFD? Front page chaos for weeks. Where is all that noise now? The front page carries pictures of firefighters winning endurance competitions. Lastly and again, every organization has issues and the NBPD is no different. On going investigations and court decisions will provide us with judgement. We can all then make our judgements based upon facts publicly presented from at least two sides. Thanks for your attention and patience. I am confident that NBPD provides good service to the residents of New Britain and regardless of these allegations and comments will continue to do so.
"Hartford Officer, Cleared In 2003 Shooting, To Get Job Back, $500,000 Award"
I guessing he's happy that the same press that "convicted" him on the front page of the newspaper many times in prior years needed to show the results of investigation and public review.
This is due to poor leadership, plain and simple. Poor leadership from the Mayor is also a factor. Embarrassing for our city.
ReplyDeleteThe most important decisions regarding the Police Dept.(hiring, firing, promotions, discipline) are made by the Board of Police Commissioners, not the Chief of Police or even the Mayor.
ReplyDeleteIs there a Lack of safety on NB streets? Have you been to NB? While in college, we have lived in a variety of cities, all over the country, and throughout CT, we believe that the NBPD is one of the finest bunch of public servants we've experienced.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know whether of not the NBPD has internal problems, but you are dead wrong if you think they're not getting the job done.
Also, as stated; The most important decisions regarding the New Britain Police Department (hiring, firing, promotions, discipline) are made by the Board of Police Commissioners, not the Chief of Police or even the Mayor of New Britain.
The Mayor appoints the Board of Police Commissioners. More importantly the Mayor supervises the Chief and the police in general. Stewart does not deserve all the blame by any stretch but this is not a few bad apples, these are a handful of bad leaders with papers trails a mile long.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Wanik being such a yes man to the police department and never questioning squat played a role?
ReplyDeleteWanik is eminently qualified but he too political and is too afraid of openly questioning the republican administration.
Of course I need to chime in here. ANY organization ANYWHERE has personnel issues. Government, private sector, political groups - everyone / everywhere. This article states 20 people left in 10 years. Is that shocking to you in an organization of 158 (authorized)? Some officers simply find NB too demanding for what they desire in a job. The article also states that we (the city) have not on-boarded lateral transfer officers; however does not address the fact that civil service rules did not allow this until the Chief and I pushed for over two years to be able to do that. This just became an ability this calendar year. Our first hire in this program is an officer with 5 years experience from from NYPD. He has a brother in the department. These facts seem to escape the press. One sided articles wherein the other side can not comment until the situation is adjudicated in legal proceedings get a lot of attention on the front page. When the dust settles you usually find the result on Page 18 in a single paragraph. Remember the vote of no confidence on Chief Carr of the NBFD? Front page chaos for weeks. Where is all that noise now? The front page carries pictures of firefighters winning endurance competitions.
ReplyDeleteLastly and again, every organization has issues and the NBPD is no different. On going investigations and court decisions will provide us with judgement. We can all then make our judgements based upon facts publicly presented from at least two sides. Thanks for your attention and patience. I am confident that NBPD provides good service to the residents of New Britain and regardless of these allegations and comments will continue to do so.
This is not good.
ReplyDeleteFront Page of The Courant tonight:
ReplyDelete"Hartford Officer, Cleared In 2003 Shooting, To Get Job Back, $500,000 Award"
I guessing he's happy that the same press that "convicted" him on the front page of the newspaper many times in prior years needed to show the results of investigation and public review.