Former New Haven assistant police chief among those considered for powerful City Hall post Name is among those under consideration for high post

In this file photo, Petisia Adger is sworn in as assistant chief by Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., at Police Headquarters . Photo by Peter Casolino/New Haven Register In this file photo, Petisia Adger is sworn in as assistant chief by Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., at Police Headquarters . Photo by Peter Casolino/New Haven Register Photo: Journal Register Co. Photo: Journal Register Co. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Former New Haven assistant police chief among those considered for powerful City Hall post 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

new haven >> The latest name being bandied about to fill the position of chief administrative officer is Petisia Adger, according to sources close to the incoming administration.

So far, Mayor-elect Toni Harp, who will be sworn in Jan. 1, has decided to retain a few high-ranking members of outgoing Mayor John DeStefano Jr.’s administration and last week told more than a dozen appointed workers in the mayor’s office and three coordinators whose terms are up at the end the month, that she would hire new personnel.

She still has to weigh in on department heads whose 4-year terms conclude at the end of January.

Adger was the highest ranking African-American in the New Haven Police Department at the time when she and two others, Capt. Patrick Redding and Lt. John Velleca, were promoted to assistant police chiefs in April 2011 by then Police Chief Frank Limon.

Before the end of that year however, DeStefano had brought back Dean Esserman to lead the department and in January 2012, <URL destination="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20120130/community-activists-decry-ouster-of-new-haven-assistant-police-chief-petisia-adger-video">Esserman asked the assistant chiefs to resign so he could name his own team.

</URL>Assistant Chief John Velleco left soon after Esserman came in, followed by Redding. Assistant Chief Tobin Hensgen and Adger in early 2012.

If Adger, who was a police officer for 20 years, were named chief administrative officer, she essentially would be Esserman’s boss as long as the same administrative chain of command is continued by the Harp administration. Adger couldn’t be reached for comment.

The chief administrative officer is one of four coordinators who have to be approved by the Board of Aldermen, according to new charter changes.

It is one of the most important positions in the city in its reach and policy coordination and the CAO oversees some $3.3 million in budgeted spending.

Under the current administrative arrangement, seven departments, in addition to Human Resources & Benefits and Emergency Management, report to Chief Administrative Officer Rob Smuts. Smuts is one of the three coordinators who will not continue as part of Harp’s administration.

The departments Smuts oversees include: police and fire, the 911 communication center, public works, parks and recreation, the libraries and engineering. Three of them are being run by acting directors: Christy Haas in parks and recreation, George Peet in the 911 center; and Larry Smith as the city’s engineer.

The police and fire chiefs have autonomy on operations with the chief administrative officer responsible for overseeing mechanics of hiring, promotions, building projects, interagency coordination and the day-to-day running of departments.

Smuts developed and analyzed public policy and helped implement those policies for the mayor. In addition, he managed emergency response and emergency preparedness; the city’s Civilian Review Board, the Office of Sustainability and oversaw the Civil Service Commission where he managed recruitment efforts for all city positions.

He also oversaw and administered medical benefits, disability and life insurance programs for all city employees and developed and implemented training for city employees.

At the time of her promotion under Limon, Adger held an administrative position in the chief’s office; as an assistant chief she was in charge of internal affairs and professional standards.

Adger was recruited to become a police officer by former Police Chief Nicholas Pastore when he implemented community policing. A community activist, who always did not see eye-to-eye with Pastore, the then chief asked her to bring that passion to the department.

There was some pushback in the community when Esserman replaced Adger, particularly from other activists.

Mary E. O’Leary can be reached at 203-789-5731.