Governor Dannel Malloy announced on Monday that Dr. Dora Schriro is the state's new public safety commissioner. Schriro is the Commissioner of Correction for New York City, and will be the first woman to serve as commissioner of Connecticut's Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Malloy said in a statement, "Dora Schriro is immensely qualified and has proven herself to be an exceptional leader in several states across the country, specifically when it comes to focusing on methods that reduce recidivism and lower crime. Her efforts working directly with the victims of crime and developing innovative, state-of-the-art processes to reduce violence and keep offenders from returning to jail will be of great value to our state as we continue implementing these types of techniques."
Schrirohas served as commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction since September 2009. Previously, she was a special adviser to former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on immigration and customs enforcement. She also served six years as director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, and eight years as director of the Missouri Department of Corrections -- each time serving as the first woman to lead the respective agencies.
Schriro succeeds Reuben Bradford, who is retiring effective February 1 after three years as commissioner. Schriro will lead the agency that oversees Connecticut State Police, the state's homeland security efforts, and disaster response.
Watch CT-N's footage of the announcement:
This report contains information from The Associated Press.