New Haven Mayor Toni Harp nominated a Latino city native to be the next police chief of Connecticut’s second largest city.
Harp announced her pick of Otoniel Reyes at city hall. He is a 20-year veteran of the city police department.
“He has an unblemished record. Over 20 years that’s hard to do for anyone. And he has the respect of the men and women of the department as well as the community in New Haven.”
Reyes pledged strong community policing and department accountability.
He says it’s a privilege to be given an opportunity to lead police in the city where he was born and raised.
“I think that’s probably the most exciting part to be able to help my city move forward. And to be able to give kids that are like me a sense that they have an opportunity to achieve any goals.”
The city’s Board of Alders still needs to confirm the appointment.
Reyes is taking over a department that’s been without a police union contract for the past three years. More than 75 officers have left the department in the past year.
