Waterbury names interim police superintendent

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — Waterbury Deputy Police Chief Vernon Riddick Jr. has been named interim superintendent of the city police department, becoming the first African-American to lead the force.

The Republican-American of Waterbury reports (http://bit.ly/V3ihNC ) Mayor Neil O'Leary named Riddick to the interim job Saturday. O'Leary appointed Riddick deputy chief in 2009 when O'Leary was police superintendent.

The 46-year-old Riddick is a lifelong Waterbury resident who joined the city force in 1994. He says he's honored to serve as the city's top cop.

Riddick will serve until a formal search for a new superintendent is completed and the city's Civil Service Commission approves O'Leary's choice for the job. It's not clear if Riddick will apply for the job.

Riddick's salary hasn't been determined. The range for police superintendent is $91,000 to $116,000.

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Information from: Republican-American, http://www.rep-am.com