East Haven searches for new top cop

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The search for a new top cop is underway in East Haven.

The search for a new police chief for East Haven's police department has begun. A consulting firm is driving the search, one Mayor Joe Maturo says will be all about transparency.

News 8 took to the streets of East Haven to find out what residents want to see in their police chief.

"Someone who knows what the heck they're doing," said resident Anne Marie Nobile. "I think the interim one they have now is doing fine."

"Just some fairness, just an overall good man, woman whatever," said resident Talia Pagan.

Trust is key for residents, especially after four police officers were arrested back in January, accused of abusing the civil rights of Latinos in town. The police chief retired that same month.

"We wouldn't want something like that to happen again," Pagan said. "We should be a calm, happy town. The elderly, there are children, there are all kinds of races, so it should be someone who's not going to cause something like that."

The mayor says he hopes the process will be a transparent one and he hopes it will inspire confidence in the process and police department. He also says he plans to involve local residents in the process but the question is will residents get behind him?

"I trust Joe very very much," Nobile says.

"When he says the process will be transparent do you believe that," News 8's Ali Reed asked.

"Yes I do, I do," she replied.

The nationwide search will last 22 weeks. Many say they'd like to see the current interim police chief, Brent Larrabee, take the permanent position.

"I think local, local is better," said resident Paul Gill. "He's from Bridgeport and I hear he's a good guy. Twenty years plus."