Pluta makes pick for new police chief

Date: 6/28/2011

June 29, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

HOLYOKE — How does one replace a person who has achieved almost legendary status in a community? Holyoke’s newest police chief, James Neiswanger, explained he would make his own mark.

Mayor Elaine Pluta introduced Neiswanger to the press and public on June 23.

Neiswanger is presently a captain in the Manchester, Conn., police force and the number two law enforcement officer in that city. He explained to Reminder Publications that he has yet to give his official notice to that community. Over the next two to three weeks, he will be involved in contract negotiations with the city and once that is completed he will officially resign.

Once hired in Holyoke, Neiswanger plans to put his house on the market and eventually move here.

He said that although Holyoke has a higher level of crime than Manchester, the Holyoke Police Department has done “an excellent job in their taking back the streets initiative.”

Pluta had narrowed down the candidates to two men, Neiswanger and Pedro Perez, of Albany, N.Y., a retired, 29-year veteran of the New York State Police. She thanked Perez for his participation in the process.

“Through my participation in the Independent Assessment Center process with the candidates, reviewing the reports on the assessment, and the recommendations of the Search Committee, it is clear that Capt. Neiswanger is the most qualified to be our next chief,” Pluta said.

The element that tilted her decision was the written essay that described how the two candidates would approach the job, she said. Neiswanger wrote about creating community partnerships, youth initiatives and crime reduction.

“If he can accomplish the things in the narrative he will be a great chief,” Pluta said.

She thanked the Police Chief Search Committee for their help.

“On behalf of all of the citizens of Holyoke, I want to thank the Police Chief Search Committee that volunteered many hours to conduct a wide search, reviewing dozens of resumes, interviewing several candidates, and recommending the top ones to the mayor’s office,” Pluta said. “This committee representing the community, along with the consultant, Steve Unsworth, from Badgequest did great work in identifying the top candidates every step of the way. I believe that this process provided a good basis for assisting in the hiring of one of the most important executives for our city.”

Neiswanger described himself as “very approachable.”

“I’m here to listen,” he said. “I’m looking to engage [members of the community] in conversation.”