NEW HAVEN, Conn — A superior court judge, responding to a complaint by Revs. Boise Kimber and Donarell Elder, said Monday that interim New Haven Police Chief Renee Dominguez must vacate her position due to language in the city's charter which does not allow her to stay on the job.
In an afternoon press conference, Mayor Justin Elicker said he was disappointed in the ruling and strongly believes the city has followed procedure.
He said the city plans to appeal. In the meantime, Dominguez will stay in her position as the search is ongoing for a replacement.
In his ruling, Judge Michael Kamp said the city charter prohibits acting city officials — including the police chief — from holding the temporary jobs for more than six months without their names being submitted to the Board of Alders. Elicker did submit Dominguez's name to the alders within six months, but the board rejected the nomination, the judge said.
Dominguez took over as acting chief upon the retirement of former Chief Otoniel Reyes on June 30, 2021. She was nominated for the position by Elicker but the city's Board of Alderman rejected the nomination on Dec. 6, 2021.
Four days later, Dominguez withdrew her application from consideration and announced she intended to retire when a new chief was chosen.
Kimber sued the city, claiming Elicker only had the power to appoint an interim chief for six months. The city argued the charter contains no procedure for keeping someone in the position beyond six months.
The court said the mayor had the power to nominate a new chief and the Board of Alderman has the power to approve the selection. In this case, Dominguez cannot serve indefinitely.
Elicker and city legal staff, however, disagreed with the judge's interpretation of the charter. They argued the charter allows Dominguez to remain in office until a permanent chief is hired.
“We need stability now, and I think that given the incredible challenges that our community has faced over these past two years — a dramatic uptick in violence like many cities across the nation — it is not time for some politically motivated stunt show here,” Elicker said at a Monday afternoon news conference, referring to the court case that led to Kamp's ruling.
Elicker said the city already is in the process of looking for a permanent chief.
Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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