Search For New Stamford Police Chief To Continue, Mayor Says

STAMFORD, CT — While Mayor David Martin maintains his first choice for Stamford's next police chief possessed the ideal qualities for the position, he will move forward with another candidate after being rejected by the Board of Representatives earlier this week. Martin announced Friday that the search will continue and will be led by Director of Human Resources Al Cava, with assistance from the Police Executive Research Forum.

"Cava has many decades of experience hiring executive-level officials in other municipalities, including police and fire chiefs," Martin said in the announcement. "Stamford contracted PERF for its Police Chief search due to the firm’s reputation of specializing in placing police executives."

The city's contract with PERF, which helped find previous nominee Chris Murtha, covers a continued search until a candidate is successfully approved by the Board of Representatives. The same terms and conditions of the original agreement apply.

According to the announcement, the search will focus on the qualifications necessary for Stamford's police chief, including experience in community-engaged policing strategies, contemporary policing practices in diverse urban communities, cultural awareness and sensitivity and engaging young and immigrant communities, as well as advanced educational degrees and skills in technology.

Though the city will move on to another candidate, Martin still made a point to speak highly of Murtha and his qualifications in the announcement.

"The city maintains the belief...Deputy Chief Murtha possessed the ideal qualities to serve as Stamford's next police chief," the announcement reads. "He is a respected leader in his community and earned the highest accolades, including Officer of the Year, Gold Medal of Valor, Silver Medal of Valor and Award of Merit. This administration believes Deputy Chief Murtha would be an excellent addition to any community, and the city wishes him well as he continues his law enforcement career."

Rejected By The Board

On Monday, the Board of Representatives voted to reject Martin's nomination of Murtha by a tally of 23-15 with one abstention. Rep. John R. Zelinsky Jr. remarked that the decision was the "most controversial issue" he had ever voted on.

Many representatives said they had received a number of calls from residents, and even some Stamford Police officers, leading up to the vote, some in opposition and some in support of Murtha.

See also: Police Chief Nominee Rejected By Stamford Board Of Reps

Martin announced his nomination of Murtha, who currently serves as the Deputy Chief for Maryland's Prince George's County Police Department, in June. He cited Murtha's "credentialed resume, strong relations with community leaders and consistent professionalism throughout the hiring process" as reasons he was considered an ideal candidate to lead the department.

Some representatives and members of the public subsequently took issue with the nomination due to Murtha's department being involved in a civil lawsuit, in which some Prince George's County officers alleged that four commanders showed racial bias in regards to promotions, work hours and other issues, according to the Stamford Advocate.

Murtha had been named in the suit among other commanders. The United States District Court of the District of Maryland eventually dismissed all claims against Murtha from the lawsuit on July 8.

Martin had stressed that the search committee "very carefully vetted the claims made against Deputy Chief Murtha in the lawsuit before I submitted my nomination."

Arthur Augustyn, a spokesperson for Martin, said in an email Tuesday the mayor was "disappointed with the vote" and would meet with the selection committee to discuss the city's next steps.

Assistant Chief Thomas Wuennemann was named interim Chief of the department on July 3.

Whoever city officials eventually select for the position will succeed Police Chief Jonathan Fontneau, a 38-year veteran who served as chief for seven years and announced his retirement in January.