STRATFORD – Incoming Mayor Dr. David Chess hasn’t even been sworn in yet, but he already had to deal with his first major personnel issue after longtime Police Chief Joseph McNeil resigned suddenly last week.
Deputy Police Chief Paul DosSantos was named acting police chief immediately.
“I thank the chief for his many years of service to the town,” Chess told Lisa Wexler on her WICC radio show and podcast last week. “I don’t know what was behind his thinking. I do know we have a great police force that needs to have a great leader.”
He added that Chief McNeil had admitted that he thought about leaving for a long time and wanted to move on and that he got along well with Mayor Hoydick.
In the Nov. 26 interview Chess told Wexler he is going to create a steering committee to help him select the next person to lead the 106-person police force.
On Nov. 25 Mayor Laura R. Hoydick made the announcement about the resignation. She expressed her gratitude for his service to the community and his contributions to public safety.
To ensure the continuation of steady leadership, Hoydick, a Republican who lost to the Democrat Chess in the general election last month, stated that DosSantos brings substantial experience, institutional knowledge, and a demonstrated commitment to the residents of Stratford.
In addition to elevating DosSantos to acting police chief, Hoydick promoted Capt.Anthony Rhew to serve as interim deputy police Chief. Capt. Rhew assumes this role effective immediately.
Mayor Hoydick emphasized police operations will continue without interruption and commitment to supporting the department, maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism throughout the transition.
“I thank Joseph McNeil for his many years of service to the town and to our residents,” Hoydick said. “I am proud to appoint Chief DosSantos, a highly respected members of the department who has earned the trust of their colleagues and the community. He will lead with integrity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to public safety.”
While Chess told Wexler he had never met with the outgoing police chief, he did get the endorsement of the Stratford police union in his race against Hoydick. He also told Wexler about an ongoing problem between the police force and McNeil and their supervisors.
“Our department has hundreds of (labor) grievances from the police officers against the administration,” Chess said. “That also includes grievances filed against the fire department supervisors.”
