Branford names DeCarlo chief, Fowler as deputy

07/11/2007

Mark Zaretsky , Register Staff

BRANFORD — Deputy Chief of Police John C. DeCarlo, 54, a 29-year veteran officer, will succeed Chief Robert Gill after Gill retires at the end of the month, the Board of Police Commissioners confirmed this week. The police board, following closed-door interviews Tuesday, also selected a veteran of almost 20 years, Lt. Thomas Fowler, to become the new deputy chief.

Fowler, among other duties, has been the department's public information officer and spokesman in recent years.

DeCarlo had been expected to succeed Gill, 74, who has led the Police Department for nine years and served on the force for 45 years — and the police board had been quietly negotiating a contract for DeCarlo for months.

With Gill's retirement date approaching and the contract still being ironed out, the board unanimously approved a motion Monday night formally designating DeCarlo as the next chief. It set Aug. 2 at 4:15 p.m. as the date for DeCarlo's swearing-in ceremony. It will take place in the community room at police headquarters, 33 Laurel St.

The police board will continue to fine-tune the contract with First Selectwoman Cheryl Morris, and "if need be, will hold a special meeting to vote on it," said Chairwoman Joanne McGuigan.

If for some reason the contract is not finalized before DeCarlo takes over as chief, he will work without a contract until it's approved, McGuigan said.

DeCarlo, who recently was awarded a prestigious Arthur Niederhoffer Memorial Fellowship by John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York, "is well-educated.

"He deals well with people," McGuigan said. "He's got some really great ideas, changes he wants to make in the department."

DeCarlo said he looks forward to leading the department.

"The chance to positively affect the public safety needs of the town of Branford is a real challenge that I'm looking forward to, and I'm humbled by being selected to be chief of such a fine department," he said. "I look forward to leading such a fine group of men and women.

"My main thrust over the next year will be transitioning the department to a problem-oriented policing style where we aim to get to the root of crime rather than just react to it," DeCarlo said.

"It's been a pleasure working with (Gill) over the last 10 years, and I've learned a great deal from him," he said.

Gill was away and could not be reached for comment. He said at the time when he first discussed his plans to retire last year that, "It's been a great run. I don't regret one event of it ... but it's time to do something else."

DeCarlo and his wife, Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo, and their son, Evan, live in Branford.

Mark Zaretsky can be reached at mzaretsky@nhregister.com or 789-5722.