East Haven Looks to Larrabee for Hope and Leadership

The expectations are high, but residents and town leaders hope that Brent Larrabee can help move the town past its troubles related to civil and criminal investigations of the East Haven Police Department (EHPD) that led to last month's indictment of four officers.

Larrabee was sworn in as interim chief of the EHPD in a private ceremony on Feb. 14 and was introduced to the public afterward. In a small gathering at the Hagaman Memorial Library, Larrabee met the media and residents who wanted to get their first glimpse of the police department's new leader and hear about his vision for the future.

"My style is to work with you individually and collectively," Larrabee said, noting that his goal is to make the EHPD one of the best. He said he plans to meet with members of the community as well as members of commissions and town leaders as he begins his work.

Most seemed cautiously optimistic that Larrabee could bring strong leadership and help heal the department and the community that have both been impacted by troubles within the department related to allegations of abuse and racial profiling of East Haven's Latino community.

"Hopefully, he can help our community," said Jeannet Zito, a lifelong resident of East Haven.

"I think it's a very good step," said Louis Crisci, who was recently appointed to the Board of Police Commissioners by Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. "He seems to be a good choice."

Crisci added that it is the goal of the commission to "get the community and Town Hall talking together and working together."

Members of the Town Council were also supportive of Larrabee's hire.

"I think he's going to do a good job," said Judy Esposito. "He wants to bring hope to the department and I support him."

Council member Bill Richardson said he was pleased with the choice.

"It's time for a change. I'm looking forward to the town's image improving. It's not fair to the residents of the town. It's a great town," said Richardson. "This is a good first step in the right direction."

During his introduction of Larrabee, Maturo gave his support of the interim chief as a person who can help move the town in a new direction.

"I'm confident that we are ready to take on that work together-the police force and the community working together to set a new standard-a standard of excellence and one that Chief Larrabee has the ability and experience to lead us in that direction," said Maturo."

Maturo also highlighted the need for collaboration among the various town entities to help move the police department forward.

"Chief Larrabee's challenge in this interim period is to set in motion the positive changes we all want and are willing to work hard for," he said. "Collaborating with my office, the Police Commission, business leaders, members of the clergy, and neighborhood groups throughout the town, the department can and will move forward toward this future."

Maturo affirmed that Larrabee's hire was made with the transparency promised.

"We had a lot of transparency. We mentioned it to the Department of Justice and we put out a press release," Maturo said, though he added, "We thought the [swearing in] should be a private ceremony."

Larrabee assured the audience that transparency wouldn't be an issue with him.

When asked what he wants to bring to those in the department he now leads, Larrabee said, "I want to give them a message of hope. I have to bring them some hope and help them get through this time."

Maturo was asked about the hiring of new police officers and if the goal was to create a more culturally diverse police force.

"We plan to do all we can in recruitment in the police department," said Maturo. "We will be working with the Department of Justice and PERF [Police Executive Research Forum] and hire the best quality officers. We'll outreach into the Latino community and do everything we can to have them apply for Police Department positions and other positions in town."

Zito said what she hopes for from new officers is "people who can do the job. We want people who will protect us."