After Evaluating Options, Darien to Begin Recruitment for New Police Chief

Darien officials said they will put the search for a new police chief on the fast track.
 
In a statement issued Wednesday, Mayor Kathleen Weaver and the Darien City Council announced the recruitment for a new police chief will begin immediately.

Darien Police Chief Robert Pavelchik . He served his , spending nine as the police chief. He started as a patrol officer in 1978.

City officials discussed , and opted to recruit for a police chief from current officers and other qualified candidates from outside the force. Recruitment will be done without the need for an outside search firm, officials said.

Weaver will appoint a citizens committee to review applications and make a recommendation. She will then appoint a police chief with the consent of the council. Once a new chief is hired, the city said it will reduce the number of deputy chiefs from two to one.

“It is my responsibility, among others, to ensure that there is proper and professional leadership in the police department, and I have the obligation to recommend the best leadership to the council,” Weaver said in the statement. “In that regard, I have reflected on all recent options related to the police vacancy and recommended to the council that Darien conduct an open recruitment for a police chief from qualified candidates from both within and outside of our organization.”

The option requires no municipal code changes other than to eliminate one deputy chief position once a chief is hired, officials said.