Crime & Safety

No Decision

Five-Hour Police Commission Meeting Ends Without a Vote for New Police Chief

The town's Police Commission met behind closed doors for more than five hours Monday night before opening the meeting to the public without a vote for the new police chief.

"No votes have been taken and no recommendations are being made at this time," Police Commission Chairman Donald Kleber said after opening the meeting to the public about 11:15 p.m.

Town Attorney Richard Saxl said, "There were three excellent candidates, and the commission decided it was not going to make a recommendation tonight."

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"I assume the Police Commission will make a recommendation when they're ready to make a recommendation," Saxl said.

Under the Town Charter, the Police Commission recommends a new police chief to First Selectman Ken Flatto, who must approve the commission's recommendation before the commission's preferred candidate is hired.

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The commission deliberated for about 90 minutes over who the new police chief should be. During the previous three and-a-half hours, the commission conducted interviews of three candidates - Deputy Police Chief Gary MacNamara, Police Capt. Christopher Lyddy and Police Capt. Donald Smith.

Saxl indicated that the interviewing portion of the process had concluded. "At this point, there will be more deliberations," he said.

Saxl said it would be up to Kleber to decide when to hold another Police Commission meeting.

Saxl said outside candidates were not discussed during the meeting. "The commission decided it wanted to promote from within, and I don't think that decision has changed at this point," he said.

Police Chief David Peck announced April 27 that he was retiring, ending a 31-year career with the Fairfield Police Department. Peck has been chief since August 2006.

Peck said during his announcement that he planned to retire between May 21 and May 31, though reports published after his announcement said he was retiring May 21.

Flatto said at the time that MacNamara could step in as interim chief if the commission hadn't made up its mind by the time Peck retired.


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