Promoting from the ranks has best result

January 8, 2002
Don Russell

I have been accused at times of being provincial when it comes to some issues concerning Stamford. Friends tell me that isn't always a bad quality to have

For instance, when it applies to governmental positions, I am a firm believer of promoting from within. Opponents claim that often those promoted from within might be more partial to making decisions in favor of someone they have served with for a long period of time. They also claim insiders tend to hold their cards close to the vest and become too comfortable in whatever system they're serving. My argument is that promoting from within develops loyalty and a willingness to excel, knowing that someday an employee may have a shot at reaching the top.

It is my opinion that bringing candidates for top positions from other parts of the country is costly and self-defeating.

For example, in recent years Stamford has searched across the country for chiefs of police. In three instances, chiefs have been chosen from other cities, and none of them served for a great deal of time in the position.

Before the late Mayor Louis Clapes broke the mold, so to speak, and appointed the late Victor Cizsancas from California as Stamford's police chief, all chiefs had been promoted from within, with the exception of the late Chief Joseph Kinsella, who was the first civilian appointed to the position. He was local, and to this day he is credited with changing the administrative end of the department. He is remembered by officers who served under him as a master of reorganization and creator of systems that remain to this day.

It was well-known that at the time Chief Cizsancas died, he was seeking another position out of town. Then there was a procession of out-of-town appointments that were properly debated and voted on by the Board of Representatives, but each appointee didn't last long in the position, or went on to a more important position out of the city. The most recent example is former Stamford Chief Dean Esserman, who left Stamford after less than three years for a position in New York City, and now reportedly is in the running to become chief of the Providence, R.I., department.

Not only police officers, but the community in general, have had positive reactions when one of their own is promoted to police chief. A fine example is that of John Considine, a native of Stamford and someone who came through the ranks. Now retired and still living in Stamford, he is active in police retirees' affairs.

When Chief Esserman resigned, Mayor Dannel Malloy went to the ranks to promote Louis DeCarlo as chief. That action was also welcomed by the rank and file and members of the community.

I often hear from members of the educational system, for instance, who have worked in the schools for some time. They wonder if promotions from within are something of the past. It wasn't too long ago that even the superintendent of schools was chosen from among local administrators, usually with good results.

It must be frustrating for anyone working in education, the city administration and Police or Fire departments to see people from out of town, often from another coast, appointed to the position to which many people aspire. Most toil for years in the hopes of being promoted to a more responsible position. But that's only a small part of the situation. Advertising nationwide, paying for travel and, if it applies, financial agreements concerning moving costs, etc., become the taxpayers' burden.

In my opinion, it's about time those in charge of such things take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and do an analysis of what talent exists in city departments. In the educational system as a case in point, someone from outside of the city doesn't necessarily know more about schools' needs. Further, in my opinion, someone who knows the history of any municipality's departments or educational system is usually the better choice.

But then again in the words of Mark Twain -- "You are never a hero in your own hometown."

Don Russell is a columnist for The Advocate.

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