BRIDGEPORT – The Ganim administration’s second chance at a national search for a new Chief of Police has resulted in 3 finalists, all of whom are associated with the Bridgeport Police Department.

Bridgeport residents were very clear: we want a high-quality, transparent search process that includes public forums with the finalists where they present themselves and their vision to the community. We also want a Chief who has the education and experience necessary to lead our diverse community, including a BA/BS degree (Master’s Degree preferred).

Mayor Ganim failed this search process four years ago when he “picked good friend and then-Acting Chief Armando Perez, who two years later was arrested by federal authorities and convicted of cheating to become a finalist.” In an article published by the CT Post, reporter Brian Lockhart goes on to write “Ganim testified that his two decisions to promote Perez…reflected his “best judgment.”  He said his decision to make Perez the permanent chief was based on a variety of factors including Perez’s “experience in the position as acting chief of police for the city of Bridgeport, community input, and input from department heads.”

The work of the new Chief is the same as it was in 2018 – to effectively transform the department’s culture: from one steeped in racism, abuse, corruption, and misconduct to one that takes seriously the task of becoming an ethical and transparent department committed to protecting Bridgeporters safety and well-being – specifically our young, Black men.

Bridgeport Generation Now will continue to organize and build power to make sure that our demands and criteria are met in this process.

According to the statement released Wednesday by the City of Bridgeport, there will be a 30-day appeal period for rejected applicants and “Mayor Ganim will announce in the coming weeks a public process that will unfold following the 30-day appeal period which will include community, stakeholder, City Council, and administration input prior to his final selection.”

You can read The Connecticut Post article, “Garcia, 2 other insiders finalists for Bridgeport’s top cop” by Brian Lockhart, Daniel Tepfer, 9/21/22