Rye Begins Search for New Police Commissioner

Rye officials are working quickly to find a replacement for Police Commission William Connors who announced his resignation last week. Connors will work until Jan. 16, 2014, which leaves the City Manager four months to find a replacement before the Police Department will be left without an official leader.

“In this situation it is important that time is of the essence,” City Manager Scott Pickup said. Pickup proposed hiring a search firm, bringing the candidates to the council for review and possibly including public input on the final decision. He also said that one police lieutenant “apparently won’t be returning” and that other lieutenants are already filling in for other vacancies.

“I can’t imagine they can also fill in as police commissioner on top of other responsibilities for a length of time,” Pickup said. 

Pickup expects the search to take about three to four months.

Connors announced his resignation on Sept. 3, stating that he wanted to focus on a better work/life balance. He said he is retiring, but probably not for good.

“I think this is more likely to be a sabbatical rather than permanent retirement, but it is the right time to take some time off,” Connors said in a press release sent by the City.

Connors declined to comment further when asked about his resignation, but Pickup said he was not surprised by the announcement.

“That is a high pressure position,” Pickup said. “Bill’s been here a dozen or more years, by the time he leaves it will be 13 years. I’m never surprised by that.”

When asked if the resignation has anything to do with some of the recent controversies, including the Rye Golf Club theft, Pickup said:

“There was no link between any of those external events of any type and his decision. None whatsoever. When you look at overall job, the Commissioner has been outstanding for city and I wish him the best for the future.”