NEW HAVEN — New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman has been on leave since July 25. Now, he’s transitioning to “temporary sick leave,” according to Mayor Toni Harp.
“I am eager for residents, property owners, and those visiting and doing business in New Haven to be assured their public safety requirements are being effectively met by the very capable command staff and officers of the New Haven Police Department,” Mayor Harp said in a statement. “Police department operations will continue uninterrupted and public safety will remain its priority under the temporary command of Assistant Chief Campbell and in his absence, Assistant Chief Generoso.”
Mayor Harp said the disciplinary leave that began on July 25 was mutually agreed upon by the chief and herself following “unbecoming” conduct. At the time, it was reported that Esserman was involved in an altercation with a waitress at the Archie Moore’s Bar and Restaurant.
“Beyond that, given the City’s policy and practice of honoring a presumption of confidentiality in personnel matters, there will be no further comment,” Harp said.
Earlier in July, a vote of no confidence in Esserman passed 170 to 42. Officers in the department have reported issues with the way that Esserman runs the department, saying he intimidates officers and has a bad temper.
Last week, nearly 100 people attended a meeting asking to remove him.
Craig Miller, the president of the New Haven Police Union Elm City Local, sent a statement to FOX 61: “I really don’t want to comment on his sick leave or health but hope he gets the treatment he needs to recover back to good health
