Mayor Joe Ganim will deliver the oath of office to Roderick Porter as Bridgeport’s next chief of police on Thursday 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 45 Lyon Terrace.
The ceremony will be streamed live as well on the city’s Facebook page.
Porter was selected by Ganim among two other finalists, Acting Chief Rebeca Garcia and Captain Lonnie Blackwell, following a national search vetted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Porter earlier this year had retired with the rank of Captain after decades of city service.
The City Charter authorizes the mayor to appoint a chief to no more than two, five-year terms. A contract between Porter and the city will be sent to the City Council for approval.
Chief among issues for Porter to address is the department’s manpower shortage now below 300 officers. The city has lost numerous officers to suburban departments with attractive health care benefits as well as a number of retirements.
Recent recruitment efforts have not kept pace with department losses. Porter says an immediate goal is to accelerate the number of graduates from the academy.
Congratulations, Chief Porter best of luck to you. I hope with this transition will bring a better relationship between the community and the police department. It is also much needed for the officers working under your leadership.