NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The mayor's office announced Tuesday that New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes will be retiring from his post as the Chief of the New Haven Police this spring.
Officials said an exact date has not yet been determined.
“Over the past year, I have worked closely with Chief Reyes and gotten to know him well. The Chief has provided consistent and guiding leadership to our Police Department through one of the most challenging years in recent history," said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. "New Haven has been fortunate to benefit from his integrity, strength of character, compassion for the community, and work ethic. I am grateful that the Chief has given us advanced notice to ensure a smooth transition. I wish the Chief all the best in his future endeavors.”
Chief Reyes' decision to step down took some in the community by surprise. Long-time city activist Barbara Fair had been working with Reyes on community projects. She had just spoken to him on New Year’s.
"I’m sad because I believe that he was genuine about wanting to change the culture of policing in New Haven," said Fair. "His words, I wanted to change it from a warrior mindset to a guardian mindset and I believed it and he was on the path to do the right thing."
Fair knows doing the right thing always has pushback and Reyes received a lot of it, but she believed he had what it took to make real change in the city.
"Now he’s going to be leaving in the middle of the work that we were doing. I’m truly saddened," said Fair.
Reyes was born and raised in New Haven. He first started in the Department as an Officer and has been Chief of the Department over the past two years.
Elicker is tasked with finding an interim replacement to serve out the rest of Reyes' term that runs until January 2022.
"It is vital to have someone that is trusted in the community and the police department as well," said Elicker.
Chief Reyes released a statement thanking the city and the department for their support over the years.
“New Haven is my home. I was born and raised here and served our community for twenty-one years. I am honored and grateful to have started here as an Officer and to rise up the ranks to Chief of Police. This fleeting moment, these twenty-one years, has been such a journey for me. I want you all to know that I’m still here, I still love this City, and I look forward to seeing you all in my civilian attire,” said Chief Reyes. “I am forever indebted to the residents of the City of New Haven, my coworkers, those lives that I have touched, and all those who have touched me over the past two decades. I will continue to be a resident here and spend more time with my family, who have been with me through thick and thin. This job is taxing on the mind, body, and spirit, and I salute all my fellow officers on their tireless work. I will miss you all greatly,” he concluded.
Mayor Elicker wants to find an interim Chief as soon as he can. He will be looking at internal and external options to fill the big shoes left behind.