By Marianne Sullivan
Published on 11/3/2005
Madison- The town has signed a contract with resident William Farrell, retired chief of police of New Haven, as part of an effort to hire qualified, certified police officers for Madison.
First Selectman Tom Scarpati said, “I don't believe the present police administration is acting in good faith to hire the full-time and part-time officers for the department that its budget allows. Several weeks ago Police Commissioner (Michael) Heaney asked me what I was doing to address the problem. I though that was a fair question...I have accepted the Police Commission's challenge.”
The Police Department presently has 22 certified officers, including the police chief. The department has an authorized staffing level of 24. There have been two retirements within the past few months. Both the chief and the Board of Police Commissioners have contended that it will take from nine to 12 months to bring new recruits onto the force to fill the two vacant positions.
Scarpati has contended the two positions could be filled with certified, seasoned officers. He has also contended that such officers are available for the four part-time positions authorized in the Police Department budget. To find those individuals, he turned to Farrell. Now retired, Farrell served in the New Haven Police Department for 36 years, nine and a half as chief.
“We can't wait a year for positions 23 and 24 to be filled. I don't believe we need to,” he said.
Under the contract signed last week by Scarpati and Farrell, the retired chief will be an independent consultant paid $1 a year. Farrell will “provide technical assistance related to recruitment services for the Human Resources Department as it relates to hiring qualified, certified police officers for the town of Madison...(He) will provide research, counseling, and statistical data to aid in recruitment of police officers as necessary.”
Scarpati said he approached Farrell with an offer to pay him a fair wage “but he chose not to do that...He offered his services as a citizen of Madison.” The two settled on a $1 a year and a formal contract.
The first selectman has contended that certified police officers at or near retirement from other departments would be interested in working in Madison. The police chief, the Board of Police Commissioners, and Madison officers themselves have been skeptical.
The chief and the commission have chosen to look toward hiring new recruits who must go through 22 weeks of training at the State Police Academy and then another 12 weeks of field training in Madison. In addition, there are prior interviews, testing, and background checks. Last week Jakubson said, “If all goes well, we could have two additional patrol officers on the street by the end of August.”
Scarpati said, “I still believe in my heart there are officers out there at 40 or 45, nearing retirement in a city police department, who already have pensions with retiree medical benefits and who are as sensitive to collective bargaining issues...I believe there are several hundred in the southern Connecticut area.”
The Board of Selectmen approved the Farrell contract 4 to 1, with Selectman Roberta Willenkin opposed. She contended the contract had not been discussed with the Police Commission.
“This is being added to the agenda without letting the commission comment,” Willenkin said. “I believe you are blindsiding them.” She also questioned the validity of a $1 per year contract and added, “This comes two weeks before the election. We are binding a future Board of Selectmen to this contract.”