STRATFORD – Mayor David Chess has formed a six-person Police Chief Search Committee to lead a national search for Stratford’s next chief of police after the former chief Joseph McNeil abruptly resigned following Chess’ victory over former Republican incumbent Laura Hoydick in November. Deputy Police Chief Paul DosSantos continues to lead the 112-officer force as acting police chief.
One theme regarding the search committee is the breadth of experience regarding race relations. The Stratford police department has faced several race-related investigations and controversies during McNeil’s tenure, which started in 2016.
The committee is chaired by Rev. Dr. Frederick (Jerry) Streets, a Stratford parish minister and a professor in the practice of theology and social work at Yale Divinity School who is the first African American Chaplain of Yale University.
The other members of the committee include:
- Paul Aurelia– A retired Stratford deputy police chief with 26 years of service with the department. He has more than 14 years of experience as a labor relations manager at Sikorsky Aircraft and currently serves as Stratford’s 10th District Town Council representative.
- Rose Blackwell– A Stratford resident for more than 60 years who is a former member of the Town’s Public Safety Committee and participated in Stratford’s first town-wide conversation on race relations.
- Olga Pena – A long-time Stratford resident who serves as co-chair of the Stratford Hispanic Committee, is an active member of CARE, and is a strong advocate for “building bridges for a stronger Stratford.”
- Patrick Ridenhour– Currently chief of police in the City of Danbury who has 37 years of experience in municipal policing. He previously served seven years with the Stratford Police Department, including nearly five and a half years as Stratford’s police chief. He began his career in Waterbury, serving for 20 years and retiring as assistant deputy chief.
- Anthony Zona– Officer Zona is a veteran law enforcement professional now in his 37th year of police service and the current Stratford Police Union President.
“The Stratford Police Department has served this community for more than a century, and we are at a critical moment,” said Mayor Chess. “We need a chief who is respected by officers, trusted by residents, and committed to modern, community-centered policing. This committee brings together deep policing expertise, community voices, and faith and civic leadership to help us find that person.”
According to Chess, a Democrat, the Police Chief Search Committee is charged with:
- Finalizing the job description and defining the professional and personal qualities sought in Stratford’s next chief of police
- Reviewing applications and resumes from a national pool of candidates
- Conducting interviews and deliberating on finalists
- Reaching a consensus on one or more recommended candidates to present to the mayor, who will make the final appointment
The committee’s work will focus not only on technical qualifications but also on leadership, integrity, communication, and a demonstrated commitment to community policing and relationship-building, according to a press statement from Chess.
“We are asking this committee to help us identify a chief who can lead a department that is already strong and move it forward — someone who understands that public safety is built on both effective law enforcement and strong community relationships,” Chess added.
The annual salary range is $140,000–$160,000, commensurate with experience, and includes health, dental, and life insurance, as well as retirement benefits. Applications and additional details about the chief of police position are available on the Town of Stratford’s website at www.stratfordct.gov/page/human-resources. Completed applications and resumes should be submitted to the Town of Stratford Human Resources Department, 2725 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615, or humanresources@townofstratford.com by Feb. 13.
