Police Chief Search Committee Announced In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett has put together a five-member search committee for a police chief.

The search committee will receive public input, establish search criteria, conduct interviews, and provide recommendations to Garrett for leadership in the Hamden Police Department, according to a news release.

The members of the search committee are Bishop Daniel Bland, Senator Jorge Cabrera, Dawn Kountz, Attorney Susan Nugent, and Tai Richardson.

Acting Police Chief Timothy Wydra was appointed to the position in May after the retirement of Chief John Sullivan, who served 27 years as a member of the Hamden Police.

Read more from the news release below:

Bishop Daniel Bland is the Senior Pastor of the Mt. Calvary Revival Center as well as a community leader and Hamden resident. He has experience working as a compliance consultant as well as with nonprofit grants management. Bishop Bland is also a former Community Social Worker for the Court Support Services Division (CSSD).

Senator Jorge Cabrera represents the 17th State Senate District in the State Legislature and is a Hamden resident. He is a workers’ rights advocate with experience fighting for working families for over 25 years and currently serves as a business representative. Senator Cabrera graduated from Quinnipiac University, is married to a public school principal, and is the father of twin boys in public schools.

Dawn Kountz is a Hamden resident and dedicated volunteer in our community who brings a wealth of experience and seasoned perspective to this search committee. She is a longtime educator with an extensive background working with children and understanding the needs of our young people. Ms. Kountz previously worked for many years as a human resource manager and has a deep knowledge of navigating the hiring process.

Attorney Susan Nugent is a family lawyer and 25-year resident of Hamden who loves Hamden and the diversity it offers. Her family has deep roots here, with her grandparents operating two businesses in Hamden for decades, and her parents meeting at Hamden High School in 1958.

Tai Richardson is a member of the Hamden Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships Council. Professionally, he brings 20 years of experience in juvenile justice, youth development and nonprofit management.

The town will be announcing community input sessions soon. Anyone interested in providing input is asked to email chiefsearch@hamden.com or at public input sessions. Members have been asked to refrain from receiving private input and to refer people to public sessions or email. All emails will be posted to the webpage for the Police Chief Search Committee.