Date: Fri 09-Feb-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

DeJoseph-police-chief-retire

Full Text:

DeJoseph To Step Down As Police Chief

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

Police Chief Michael DeJoseph announced Wednesday that he is leaving the

Newtown Department of Police Services after 29 years with the force and more

than eight years as its chief.

His last day on the job will be March 22; his official retirement date will be

May 1.

Chief DeJoseph, 50, will begin a new job on April 1 as manager of technical

assistance for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in

Alexandria, Va.

"Certainly I have mixed emotions - we have so many friends here," Chief

DeJoseph said. "But it's time. The professional opportunity at the IACP is

fantastic. The organization is on the cutting edge of law enforcement. I'm

really looking forward to the challenge it will present to me."

The announcement was not unexpected. Chief DeJoseph already had reached the

maximum he could receive under his police pension and was among a half dozen

top officers in the local police force who are eligible to retire.

"I've had some other job offers in the past few years but none as interesting

as this one," he said, explaining that he had begun talking with the IACP

about the new position last October.

In Newtown, the chief of police is appointed by the Police Commission.

Commission Chairman Carol Mattegat said that Police Capt Michael Fekete

probably will be made acting chief until a decision is made about a permanent

replacement.

"Bob Connor, Jr, the vice chairman (of the police commission), and I will meet

late Monday afternoon with First Selectman Bob Cascella to discuss the

situation. We want to get input from Bob as the town's chief executive

officer," she said.

Mrs Mattegat said it is possible there will be a national search for a

successor to Chief DeJoseph, "but we would never turn down an application from

within the town."

Mr Cascella praised Chief DeJoseph for his 29 years of service to the

community.

"He has done a fine job for us," the first selectman said. "Obviously we are

sad to see him go but, personally - as a friend - I am happy for him to be

able to start a new life and an exciting new career."

The IACP is a not-for-profit organization of approximately 14,000 members from

the world's law enforcement community. In operation since 1893, the

organization established criminal identification files, uniform crime records,

a national bomb data center and other services, many of which over the years

became part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The IACP developed minimum training standards for law enforcement officers and

has established worldwide training programs. It assists local departments in

implementing modern police practices and management techniques.

"We recognized a real gap in our services in not having a single point of

contact where a police chief could call and say I've got a problem, what do I

do," explained Dan Rosenblatt, IACP executive director. "We needed someone who

had answers and knew how to get answers.

"It's very clear we found someone in Michael DeJoseph who has the breadth of

experience we are looking for. He will be a real important lifeline to police

chiefs around the world."

In his new position, Chief DeJoseph will be responsible for establishing the

IACP Technical Assistance, Publishing and Information Center. The center will

establish an information clearing house, publish materials and assist members

seeking guidance on police management-employee and criminal justice issues.

A native of Bridgeport, Michael DeJoseph joined the Newtown police force in

1965 shortly after completing three years of service with the intelligence

branch of the US Army.

"My parents moved to Newtown in 1964 while I was in the service," he said.

"When I got out, I didn't have anywhere else to go so I came to Newtown. I

knew I didn't want to work in the defense plants, where there were a lot of

jobs available - it was during the Vietnam War. I saw an ad in The Bee for a

police officer and decided to apply. I was the fifth police officer hired in

Newtown."

Chief DeJoseph was promoted several times, becoming a lieutenant in 1978, the

same year he earned a degree in criminal justice administration from Western

Connecticut State University. He became the police chief in 1987.

During his tenure, the police department grew from five police officers to an

authorized strength of 38 sworn personnel. An advocate of crime prevention

education, Chief DeJoseph started the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)

program in the local schools, established the citizens' police academy and

last year began a local weekly cable television show on law enforcement

issues.

Taking advantage of government surplus equipment, drug asset forfeiture funds

and federal/state grants, he worked to better equip and staff the department.

He has been a strong advocate of a modern police force, sending officers to

federal/state law enforcement facilities for specialized training and

encouraging them to pursue higher education with a special focus on community

oriented policing.

Chief DeJoseph said he and his wife, Pamela, are looking forward to moving to

Alexandria. Their son, Michael, is in his senior year of law school at

Creighton University; their daughter, Marie, is a sophomore at Monmouth

College in New Jersey.

"My wife and I are city kids," Mr DeJoseph said. "We've been married 28 years

and have lived the country all that time. Now we hope to buy a brownstone

right in Alexandria. It's going to be fun."