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Facing an all-white command staff, New Haven clergy members demand police elevate leaders of color

Lori Mack
/
Connecticut Public Radio

The New Haven Police Department is being criticized this week for a lack of diversity in the force’s top brass. This comes as the city’s acting police chief, Renee Dominguez, is under fire for exonerating several officers who used force during the arrest of an unarmed man earlier this year.

Black clergy members lambasted the decision. On Monday, Reverend Boise Kimbers called for the hiring of a Black assistant chief of police.

Every member of the top brass is now white after the last officer of color in leadership retired earlier this year. This is the first time the department has had an entirely white slate of chiefs, assistants and captains since 1993.

“Chief Dominguez: reevaluate your thinking. Do not let us put a badge on racism,” Kimbers said.

Dominguez has up to three assistant chief positions to fill, but has not committed to ensuring that any of them will be taken by a Black officer.

New Haven Mayor Justin Mayor nominated Dominguez to permanent chief of police after acting as the interim chief since June. She’s facing pushback from members of the city’s Civilian Review Board for her decision to waive disciplinary action for the officers that has come to the attention of the Board of Alders.

Copyright 2021 WSHU. To see more, visit WSHU.

Eda Uzunlar
[Copyright 2024 NPR]

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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