New Haven names new police chief

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - The mayor of New Haven introduced Frank Limon as the city's new police chief Tuesday. He'll start in a little under a month.

Frank Limon and his wife Gissella have already had a chance to walk around New Haven; what they see reminds them of home.

"That's what I like about New Haven -- it's a minature Chicago; it's diverse," said Frank Limon.

The 56-year-old spent 30-years on the Chicago Police Force rising to high-ranking postions including head of the city's organized crime division where he supervised a staff of 600 assigned to drug and gang investigations.

It's that big city experience that put him top of the Mayor's list.

"His work: targeting gang and narcotics leaders, using money laundering laws and utilization of technology to surpress narcotics," said New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.

Former Police Chief James Lewis left New Haven last month after just 20 months on the job.

He took over a department rocked by a corruption scandal and his straightforward style made him popular with the rank and file.

Limon will be top brass to 452 officers.

"My message out to the rank and file: I'm going to watch your back and give you what you need to on the street to make this a safer city," Limon said.

Limon must sign a four-year contract. News Channel 8 has been told he's already back on a plane to Chicago and he'll be back when he is sworn in -- in the beginning of April.