© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Haven Mayor Has No Immediate Plans to Oust Police Chief

Thomas Macmillan
/
New Haven Independent
New Haven Mayor Toni Harp.

New Haven mayor Toni Harp said she’s not inclined to remove Police Chief Dean Esserman anytime soon, despite having placed the chief on a three-week leave after an incident during which he reportedly berated a waitress at a local restaurant. 

The mayor has called that behavior “unbecoming a public official.” It's the second time she's publicly reprimanded Esserman for his behavior with New Haven residents.

Still, speaking on WNHH radio, Harp said that before Esserman arrived in New Haven, there were 34 murders in one year.

Then, the next year, there were 17.

“We’ve gotten down to below ten since he’s been here. We have seen crime reduced across every measure that is measured by the federal government,” Harp said.

Harp said that in the case of Esserman, she believes in “progressive discipline.”

“One of the things that I can’t afford to have happen is for our crime to go up, for us to lose our babies on the streets. That, to me, is the most important thing,” she said.

She said her expectation is that Esserman's outbursts will stop. But the mayor acknowledged that there could come a point at which she’d need to find a new police chief.

Listen to Harp's comments below.

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and Here And Now. Diane spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content