Well, some of Hartford's budget problems could be eased by the latest retirement at the Hartford Police Department, Assistant Chief Lester McKoy is calling it quits. Numerous sources have confirmed that McKoy is retiring from HPD. McKoy had also retired from the Stamford Police Department and was collecting a pension from Stamford.
The savings to the City of Hartford and the taxpayers should be substantial. No longer will we have to pay for McKoy's daily commutes to and from his home in Stamford with his city issued vehicle. No longer will we have to pay for the bodywork and repairs after the unexplained crashes with his city car. No longer will we have to pay the tickets when he runs the New York tolls in his city vehicle.
Connecticut State Police are also breathing a sigh of relief knowing that Chief McKoy will no longer be racing to his hairdresser's appointments with the lights and siren blaring on Interstate 91.
Hopefully, Chief McKoy will agree to come back one last time to celebrate the issuance of the Rudewicz report when the report is turned over to the City. A retirement party will most likely be planned with a special showing in HD of the Pawtucket Street video that was withheld from the firearms review board.
Mayor Segarra, at a press conference this morning, also confirmed that one Assistant Chief position will be eliminated. A second Assistant Chief position also may be eliminated to conform with the budget resolution passed by the Hartford City Council last month.
UPDATE 4:30PM FRIDAY: These actions are not a retirement by Chief McKoy. According to a source knowledgeable with the specifics, McKoy's position as Assistant Chief will be eliminated as of July 15, 2011. In a letter from Chief Roberts to Mayor Segarra yesterday, the position is apparently being cut to comply with the Council's budget cuts to the HPD budget. On April 18, 2011 the Council attempted to eliminate 2 Command staff positions totalling $300,000 as well as cutting $500,000 from the Police overtime budget ( so much for the Council being serious about Public Safety). One more Command staff position may be cut to reach the $300,000 amount demanded by the Council, but then again, it is not clear if the Council has the authority to slash specific positions. It appears by Charter that they do not have that power.
As the Assistant Chief with the lowest amount of total time at HPD, although he is the longest serving Assistant Chief, McKoy will be the first to be cut when his position is eliminated July 15. Other Command Staff "shake-ups" are to be expected in the next couple weeks also according to the source.
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