Mayor Appoints Howard Mintz as New Newton Police Chief

Mayor Setti Warren has appointed Interim Police Chief Howard Mintz as the new chief of the Newton Police Department.

Mintz, a 29-year veteran of the department, has been acting chief since late August 2012, when former Chief Matthew Cummings was placed on administrative leave.

"Chief Mintz, over the course of his 29 years of service, has demonstrated the utmost integrity and professionalism that I think this police department needs to move it forward," Warren said during a press conference Monday afternoon at Newton Police Headquarters.

Cummings, the department's previous chief, was placed on administrative leave in August after an investigation concluded there was "sufficient" evidence that he verbally humiliated his secretary and kicked her in the foot. Warren eventually fired Cummings in October following a public hearing process. 

During the press conference Monday afternoon, Mintz thanked Warren for the "confidence" he has in him and in the department. 

"I'm honored to be in charge of an accredited agency and a group of outstanding public servants," Mintz said. 

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After he is officially confirmed by the Newton Board of Aldermen, Mintz said he plans to conduct a 45-day review of the department. The "full review" will look at all personnel positions, policies, procedures and the "overall structure of the department," Mintz said.

"We will continue to strive to improve excellence," Mintz said. 

The review process will involve collaboration with the department's command staff, Mintz said, as well as conversations with department employees and the union leaders. Once the review is finished, Mintz said he will present his findings to Warren, the department and the Newton community.

Mintz, a 1968 graduate of Newton South, started his career as a correction counselor in the Massachusetts Department of Correction and joined the Newton Police Department as a patrolman in January 1984. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University and recently received a certificate of public safety and leadership from Suffolk University. 

In addition, Mintz is a member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society and received the Meritorious Service Award in 2003.

Prior to his appointment to chief, Mintz served as the commander of the department's Traffic Bureau. 

The Newton Police Department has experienced a rocky few months that not only included the firing of Cummings, but also an investigation into other allegations of misconduct by department officers. 

Following Cummings' dismissal, some questioned whether the city should hire a new chief from outside the department. 

Despite those concerns, Warren reiterated Monday that his process involved looking at internal candidates first. If those candidates had not met the necessary criteria for police chief, the city would have then considered external applicants. 

"I was very pleased with the caliber of candidates we have internally," Warren said. "It was a difficult decision."

According to Warren, the Police Chief Search Committee considered five applicants, all of which were male members of the Newton Police Department. 

"I want to reiterate -- the majority of the men and women in this department do an outstanding job. My search, and what we were looking for...is to see who could bring this department to a point where it meets its full potential," Warren said. "We have a great department and we can continue, as Chief Mintz mentioned, to improve and be better."

Warren said he will docket an item this afternoon with the Newton Board of Aldermen asking for approval of the police chief appointment. The item will first go to the Public Safety & Transportation Committee before the full board.

According to Ward 1 Alderman-at-Large and Public Safety Chairman Jay Ciccone, the committee will likely take up the item this Wednesday, March 20.