Mayor Names Regina Rush-Kittle Acting Police Chief, Dominguez Retires

NEW HAVEN, CT – Tuesday New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced that City Chief Administrative Officer Regina Rush-Kittle will serve as acting police chief, replacing current Acting Chief Renee Dominguez. In an earlier news conference, Dominguez said she was retiring Saturday.

Rush-Kittle will serve in the role temporarily until a permanent police chief is identified by Elicker and approved by the New Haven Board of Alders. Elicker said the search process is "well underway" with initial interviews set to begin this month.

Elicker thanked Dominguez for her near 20 years of service.

"Chief Dominguez has been an exemplary leader and partner in City government and worked tirelessly to keep our residents, streets and city safe," Elicker said. "Back in December of 2021, the Chief made clear she was going to retire, and I wish her well and congratulate her on her trailblazing career."

Elicker said Rush-Kittle is "another seasoned and trailblazing leader."

He said she has "both public safety experience and New Haven knowledge to step in and lead the Police Department as Acting Police Chief."

He said he was "confident" that Rush-Kittle will bring a "steady hand and strong leadership" to the police department.

"I’m grateful for her willingness to serve in this critical role until a permanent police chief is identified," Elicker said. "I am also grateful to the men and women of the New Haven Police Department for their continued dedication, professionalism, and partnership with the community.”

As Chief Administrative Officer, Rush-Kittle currently supervises several city departments, including police, fire, emergency management, public safety communications, human resources, parks and public works, engineering, and the New Haven Free Public Libraries.

Rush-Kittle has had a long and distinguished career in public safety and deep experience working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Immediately prior, Rush-Kittle served as Deputy Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection where she led both the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security as well as the Connecticut Intelligence Center. Before that, she served with the Connecticut State Police for 28 years, rising up from the rank of trooper to major, and served as the commanding officer for numerous bureaus and state police troops. She also served as second in command at the Millbury Police Department in Massachusetts.

Alongside her work in law enforcement, Rush-Kittle has 30 years of military service, serving both in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army Reserves — rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major, the highest regular enlisted rank in the Army — with two deployments overseas in Kuwait and Afghanistan and awarded the Bronze Star Medal. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and earned her Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College. She is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and received an onorary doctorate in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead the New Haven Police Department, whose officers I’ve been proud to work with on a daily basis for the past five months,” she was quoted as saying in a news release.

“As someone who has spent over 30 years in law enforcement, I know what our police officers face every day on the job," she said, adding, "And I’m committed to providing them with the support and leadership they need during this time of transition so that they can effectively serve and partner with the community to keep our city safe.”

Once a permanent police chief is approved, Rush-Kittle will resume as Chief Administrator Officer. In the interim, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Rebecca Bombero will assume the duties of the job.