Patch Candidate Profile: Ralph Money, Ridgefield Police Commissioner

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Ridgefield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Ridgefield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Ralph Money, 64, is running for re-election to the Board of Police Commissioners in Ridgefield, as a Democrat.

Education.

BS Georgetown University; MBA Harvard University

What is your occupation?

40 years of investment, financial and non-profit management experience (recently retired)

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Son Noah, Senior and Midshipman First Class U.S. Navy ROTC at Georgetown University; daughter Francesca, First Year at Fordham University.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes. Currently serving on the Ridgefield Board of Police Commissioners. Appointed and served for ten years (1998-2008) on the Fairfield, CT Board of Fire Commissioners (most of that tenure as chair or ranking member). Appointed and served two years (2009-2020) as a trustee and investment committee member for the Town of Fairfield Police & Fire Pension Retirement Board. During high school, appointed to the City of Bridgeport Mayor's Youth Advisory Council.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for Police Commissioner to keep Ridgefield both safe and caring. I have the honor of serving on the Commission and bring to it a set of experiences, skills and qualifications that make me a strong working member of the Commission. I also have public safety policy positions that are both distinct and valuable to the people of our Town. I am running on a platform that has at its core a Police Department grounded on a foundation of six values: service, integrity, fairness, caring, justice, and accountability. I also believe that public safety should not be political.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Keeping Ridgefield BOTH safe and caring. My policy priorities will be to continue the focus on community policing and to emphasize three initiatives: (1) Protecting our community's most vulnerable members with special programs that support our seniors and our youth. I will continue to advocate for protecting our local businesses and proactively addressing concerns over traffic, speeding, and other violations that endanger neighborhood safety. (2) Leading the way in community policing where our officers are visible in our community and in our schools. And leading the way in both caring and accountability in how the Department carries out its duties each day with professionalism. (3) Investing in our people through training and development as well as with technology and equipment to keep our community and officers safe.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience; I serve on the Police Commission today. I also have a set of deep hands-on and policy experiences in public safety that inform my work on the Commission -- including over two decades of volunteer and career executive and disaster relief leadership with the American Red Cross here in Connecticut as well as in Washington, DC, San Francisco and Boston and my service as a Fire Commissioner for ten years in Fairfield. My business experience from Chase Manhattan and 23 years at Commonfund have added insights to the Commission's oversight, fiduciary and planning responsibilities.

I also believe that public safety should not be political.

I have been told that I am a very good listener.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Issy Caporale and I are work together very well on the Commission. We share a philosophy and the very real goals of keeping our Town BOTH safe and caring. Safety is critical and can be measured in statistics. Caring goes more deeply, it encompasses community policing where our officers are visible in our neighborhoods and in schools -- and the caring they show everyday in caring out their responsibilities.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I am also committed to a strategic investment for Ridgefield: developing a new, combined public safety facility to house both the police and fire headquarters to better meet the needs of our Town today -- and tomorrow. My background in finance and planning informs my fiscally responsible approach to this essential project.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Results. Ridgefield is the “Safest City in America.” I believe that there are four drivers that make our Town safe: (1) skilled/dedicated officers; (2) excellent leadership; (3) strong community support; and, with a sense of both pride and humility, (4) sound Commission policies (including rigorous hiring and promotion standards). I am running to build upon this track record of safety.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Listen, listen more, contemplate -- then act" (Jesuit). "Kindness is magic" (Friend). "Share words that provoke, challenge and give comfort" (Minister). "Seek excellence in all you do" (Mentor). "Say your prayers" (Mom).

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I humbly and respectfully ask for the honor of your vote on November 7th; let’s keep Ridgefield both safe and caring.