August 17, 2006

"We need to create avenues so stakeholders - residents, businesses, non-profits - have more ways to speak to us," Norwood said.

As communication improves, he said, people will begin to feel they are playing a role in the decision-making process. "When these things are done, it suppresses crime," said Norwood, now in his fourth month leading the city's 412-member force.

He said when officers interact with the community, they learn about issues specific to individual neighborhoods and the department can take appropriate actions.

For instance, recent crackdowns on prostitution and speeding in two city sections were based on public complaints.

Norwood has been spending a lot of time in the community getting to know the neighborhoods and meeting with groups. He also sometimes drives around the city in his car, introducing himself to people.

"I need to get to know the nuances and personalities of all the city's neighborhoods, and the only way to do that is to be out on the street," said Norwood, who turns 40 next month.

He has initiated weekly meet-and-greet sessions for all department commanders, in which they walk neighborhoods and knock on doors. About 20 department members usually fan out in an area and talk to residents and merchants.

"We walk the beat for a few hours just like officers do," Norwood said. "People welcome having a ranking officer from the police department knocking on their door asking if they can help."

He expects to target quality-of-life issues, such as prostitution, drug-dealing and blighted buildings.

The police can be a conduit to other municipal departments, letting them know about problems that need to be addressed, according to Norwood. When the police call public facilities or housing authority officials for assistance, results usually follow.

"Within 24 hours people can see a difference," he said.

Norwood also wants to work closely with the religious community, explaining clergy can help mediate confrontations.

Thomas L. Kanasky, police board president, said Norwood interacts well with the board. "He's a communicator, which works well," he said. "He's very intelligent and forthright."

Kanasky said Norwood has focused initially on improving the public's view of the department. "Many people, including me, think this is something that needed to be done," Kanasky said. "He's re-establishing a relationship with the community."

The last permanent chief, Wilbur Chapman, was criticized for not dealing with the public enough.

Using technology

Norwood, serving his first five-year term, wants to use technology to the department's advantage more.

For instance, he said, the police should have a website with links for the city's active block watch groups, providing real-time crime statistics. Then if there's a problem with people stealing a certain kind of car or breaking into sheds, the public can react.

He also hopes to upgrade the mobile data terminals, or small dashboard computers, the officers use in patrol cars.

"They are antiquated, and it will be so much easier for officers if they have more information available in a couple of keystrokes and seconds," Norwood said.

He intends to have every division and sector's command staff devise its own crime analyses, providing more hands-on knowledge to the supervisory staff.

One issue he has faced in Bridgeport is understaffing. The department is budgeted for 444 officers, but has 32 fewer than that. He said the department needs more to be most effective at community policing. A recruit class should begin training next spring.

Norwood, under pressure to cut down on police overtime costs, said the more people he has on the force, the more effective he can be in resolving this problem. "It's a struggle and a balancing act, but I have to use every strategy I can to beat crime," he said.

The department has a budget of $38.7 million, including $4.2 for overtime. Federal grants are drying up, and almost all the budget goes for salaries.

The long police response time to some calls also is a matter of resources, according to Norwood. "You have so many cops on the street and so many calls on the screen, so you just have to match up as best you can," he said.

Norwood said he talks to Mayor John M. Fabrizi, who appointed him, just about every day. "I try to keep him apprised of everything," he said, describing the mayor as readily accessible.

He said Fabrizi's admitted illegal drug use presented an awkward situation. "It was a difficult circumstance and affected the atmosphere in the police department because of questions about impropriety," Norwood said. "However, we have to keep it moving - for lack of a better word - because our job is the same every day."

Violent crime has been on the rise again in most big cities, which Norwood attributed partly to a changing economy, lack of youth programs and people getting out of prison not being able to find jobs and housing.

An effective program involves talking to people who are on probation or parole. The individuals are shown photos of homicide victims and their grieving families during a PowerPoint presentation on what direction their lives will take in the future. "It's very, very graphic," he said.

Diversity and background

Norwood previously was assistant police chief in New Haven, where he spent 17 years and moved quickly up the promotional ladder.

He said Bridgeport has more diverse ethnic groups than New Haven, such as large Brazilian and Portuguese communities. "For the first time I got into the World Cup because of that, and that's a good thing," he said.

He spent his early childhood in Bridgeport, attending Hallen School before moving to Monroe with his family while in junior high school.

Norwood was one of only three African-Americans in the Masuk Class of 1984, where he played football and basketball. He called it a great experience that could be difficult at times.

"My high school years really formed what you see in front of you," he said.

He just spoke at a youth program about ethics at the request of a former Masuk classmate.

He is about to close on the purchase of a home in Bridgeport, moving from New Haven.

Norwood, son of retired city Associate School Supt. Al Norwood, admitted he is a bit of a workaholic. "I do eat and sleep this job," he said.

Not being an early riser, he starts his workday at about 9 a.m. but usually stays late at the office "so I feel I've accomplished something."

His hobbies include the martial arts as well as cars and motorcycles. He owns both Harley-Davidson and BMW bikes. "I go out riding for hours and hours," he said. "It's a good escape for me."