Crime & Safety
For WHPD, Two High-Level Retirements Cost Leadership
Steps underway to find successors for assistant chief and captain in patrol division.
The top ranks of the will be losing more than 60 years of experience in October.
In addition to Carl Rosensweig, an assistant chief since 2001, Capt. John Casey also will be retiring next month, Chief James Strillacci said Wednesday.
“We’re losing a lot of experience,” Strillacci said. “We’re losing a couple of leadership people.”
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Rosensweig to become chief of police in Granby and was confirmed this week. Casey is retiring after 30 years in West Hartford. They were 1-2 in command of the patrol division – about two-thirds of the policing effort in a sworn force of 120-plus.
Rosensweig, 52, began in West Hartford as a patrolman in 1980 and was a detective, sergeant and lieutenant. He was a former SWAT team member and head of the special investigations division, in charge of the department's most sensitive investigations, including narcotics and vice.
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“He’s an excellent administrator, and very technologically adept – much better with gadgets than I am,” Strillacci said.
Rosensweig also was chairman of the civilian complaint review board as assistant chief. He will take over in Granby Oct. 3.
“He’s fair and reasonable and he’s a good listener,” Strillacci said. “He keeps an open mind. He makes decisions for good reasons and that’s the kind of boss you want to work for.”
Strillacci said a captain’s examination was held Wednesday. The process of selecting a new assistant chief will begin when Town Manager Ron Van Winkle gives the go-ahead.
“Whenever you’re in a down economy people are going to look [at costs],” Strillacci said. “My job is to persuade the town manager that this position is worth money to the town. Folks at that rank are always looking for ways to represent the town and save money and keep expenditures under control.”
In Granby, Rosensweig will replace Chief David Watkins, who is retiring. His departure will leave West Hartford with one assistant chief, Robert McCue, who heads the investigative division.
“My preference to fill the position is pretty clear,” Strillacci said. “I’m putting it in writing for why this is needed. I think we’re doing our due diligence for the town and for the to put our reasons on paper. We just want to make sure everyone is in agreement before we go forward.”
