Stamford Names New Interim Police Chief

STAMFORD, CT — Shortly after announcing to the Board of Representatives on Monday that he was temporarily withdrawing his nominee for the city's next police chief, Mayor David Martin announced Tuesday that Assistant Chief Thomas Wuennemann has been named interim Chief of the Stamford Police Department.

Wuennemann comes to the position with over three decades of experience, as well as advanced law enforcement training, having completed the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP).

"Assistant Chief Wuennemann is a law enforcement professional dedicated to the City of Stamford and the Stamford Police Department, having been on the department for more than 35 years," Martin said in a statement. "His experience and leadership in the Stamford Police Department will provide stability during the police chief search and appointment process."

Wuennemann holds a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement Administration.

The news was announced the day after Martin sent a note to the Board of Representatives during their meeting Monday that he was withdrawing the previously announced appointment of Chris Murtha, however he will resubmit it for the next board meeting in August.

See also: Stamford Mayor Temporarily Withdraws Nominee For Police Chief

A statement from the Mayor's Office emailed to Patch said Murtha's name was withdrawn so the Board could have time to do more fact finding.

"Based on a few comments made by the community during the public participation section, we felt that we should allow the Board to do their due diligence to further understand and ascertain the actual details that will support Deputy Chief Murtha's approval," the statement reads. "We remain confident that the Board will discover that he is an excellent and highly qualified candidate, however we as a community and the Board should avoid unfairly damaging the reputation of an outstanding public servant, one who has put his life at risk for the public and has been a valuable asset to his community and his department."

Murtha currently serves as the Deputy Chief for Maryland's Prince George's County Police Department in Maryland.

According to the Stamford Advocate, many have taken issue with the nomination due to Murtha's department being involved in a civil lawsuit, in which some Prince George's County officers allege that four commanders showed racial bias in regards to promotions, work hours and other issues. The suit names Murtha among other commanders.