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Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Secretary of Public Safety Edward Flynn's introduction as Springfield's new Police Commissioner got off to a strained start on Wednesday. The moving of the press conference from a public room in City Hall to behind guarded doors in the Mayor's office won little respect from the president of the Springfield Patrolman's Association, Thomas Scanlon. Scanlon said that he was disappointed that Acting Commissioner William Fitchet was not selected for the position, but also expressed he "felt bad for Flynn to start this way." Room 220 in City Hall was packed with city employees, police officers and members of the press. There were at least 10 people holding signs with the message "Romney Unfair to Working Families." The press event was to feature Governor Mitt Romney helping to make the announcement. There was a plainclothes security team flanking the podium with the governor's seal and there was a temporary barrier placed in front of the podium. The announcement was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., and at about 2:15 the press were told to move into the Mayor's office. In the hallway outside the door to the office, six uniformed State Police officers stood guard. When asked about the switch, Ryan said that it was made by the State Police who accompanied Romney. Romney added, "it's not my job to speak to the rank and file of the Police Department." He said that he manages the state and Ryan, Flynn and City Council President Jose Tosado manages the city and its concerns. "It [the private press conference] was pretty disrespectful," Scanlon said. "But it fits in with the process of selecting a candidate [for the position]." Scanlon was referring to the closed-door interviews of candidates from what Mayor Charles Ryan described as a "nation-wide search" for a new commissioner. At the press conference Ryan described the process beginning with interviewing over 20 neighborhood groups and individuals about the qualifications they sought. Then 36 candidates including Flynn and Acting Police Commissioner William Fitchet were considered. That group was narrowed down to 15 and Ryan said then he, Finance Control Board Executive Director Phillip Puccia, and City Council President Jose Tosado interviewed the top five candidates. Ryan said that all of the candidates were asked the same questions and were given the same time. Ryan said at the press conference that the three men voted unanimously in favor of Flynn. Ryan praised Fitchet's efforts saying he was a "bridge of integrity and steadfastness" between the administration of former Police Chief Paula Meara and Flynn. Although Ryan said that "in many ways this is a red letter day for Springfield," he also emphasized that "the decision was not an easy one." Ryan said that the three men had to conduct the selection process in the manner that they did because it involved some "very delicate decisions." He said they were told by Police Executive Research Forum, a consultant group hired to assist in the search, that the city could not attract national candidates if "we hung them out to dry." Flynn said he had initially dismissed the idea of seeking the job, but changed his mind when Romney announced he would not be seeking re-election. Flynn will begin his duties here in Springfield in mid-March and will be paid $155,000 a year under a five-year contract. His current position with the Commonwealth paid him $150,000 annually. Flynn has been secretary of Public Safety for three years. He has had a 35-year career in law enforcement and had served as police chief in Chelsea for four years during the time that city was in receivership. In 1997, he became police chief in Arlington County, Virginia, where he was the law enforcement commander responsible for the rescue and recovery at the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11. He said that he has walked a beat, patrolled in a cruiser, and run investigations. "I've paid my dues. I know the work," he said. He said that over the course of the next few months he would meet with all of the officers in the department. "Everyone needs face time with the new boss," he said. He acknowledges that "not everyone in the Police department will greet this news [of his selection] with joy." He thinks of his new role as one of helping the members of the police force succeed in their mission. He added that he would be accessible to the community as well. Flynn said that he would review the management team at the department and said he wants the option of keeping some positions and creating new ones. He acknowledged the task of making the city safer is difficult but said that "its difficulty is what makes it noble." Fitchet was not among those ushered into the press conference. Afterwards, he was one of the many people gathered in the hallway near Room 220. He said his only comment was "I'm disappointed, but I am a professional police officer and I will continue to be a professional police officer." |
