Former Stamford Principal To Be Sworn In To Police Commission

STAMFORD, CT — Rodney Bass, a lifelong Stamford resident and former principal of Turn of River Middle School, is scheduled to be sworn in to the city's police commission Monday, city officials announced this week.

Bass will be sworn in by Mayor David Martin during the commission's 5 p.m. meeting at police headquarters. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"Rodney Bass is exactly the type of person suited to serve on Stamford's police commission," Martin said in a statement. "Rodney has deep knowledge of Stamford's system, unique insight into how our institutions can assist the disadvantage and an understanding of the importance of his contributions to our community. Rodney has unwavering ethical backbone, and I am certain he will serve our community well on Stamford's police commission."

In an announcement, city officials said Bass served as principal at Turn of River Middle School for 14 years, from 1993 to 2007. He also served as an interim principal at Cloonan Middle, Rippowam Middle School and Stamford High School at various points in his career.

"I am honored to be appointed to the police commission," Bass said in a statement, "and [to be] given a continued opportunity to serve the Stamford community and my hometown."

Throughout his decades-long career at Stamford Public Schools, Bass earned the reputation as a "community-focused man of integrity who treats individuals fairly," city officials said.

"Rodney Bass is very passionate about this community and believes in fairness and justice for everyone," Tim Abbazia, Chair of the city's police commission, said in a statement. "He is a man with great integrity and will strengthen our community with his contributions to the police commission."

Outside his career at Stamford Public Schools, Bass began a 16-week academic review program to provide children in Stamford with a comprehensive history of African ancestry. This program met once a week and culminated in a trip to West Africa and The Gambia.

Bass does not have any personal or professional ties to the Stamford Police Department, city officials said.