New Haven Mayor Names Renee Dominguez As Permanent Police Chief

NEW HAVEN, CT — After months as interim police chief, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker opted to tap Renee Dominguez as the city's permanent top law enforcement official. He made the announcement Wednesday.

An East Haven native, Dominguez, a sworn officer in 2020, was promoted over the years to include roles as district manager and then as assistant chief in 2019.

Elicker also announced his nomination of Regina Rush-Kittle, who currently serves as the state Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, as the city's chief administrative officer.

Rush-Kittle was appointed to deputy commissioner in January 2019. She began her law enforcement career in 1983 with the Connecticut Department of Corrections. In 1985, she was sworn as a Middletown Police Department patrol officer and then in 1987 was hired by the Connecticut State Police, "where she rose through the ranks becoming a State Police Sergeant, Lieutenant, Major, and Commanding Officer of a barracks and district."

Dominquez was asked — should her appointment be approved by the Board of Alders —to identify her priorities in the role as the city's top cop.

"Continuing to reduce violence in the city and rebuilding our ranks, getting back to full staff," she said.