Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: 4 of 7 finalists for police chief come from D.C. department Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 15:01:10 EST Message-ID: \SE A \HD 4 of 7 finalists for police chief come from D.C. department \SH Position expected to be filled Dec. 1 \BY Vincent McCraw and Jonetta Rose Barras \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES The seven finalists for D.C. police chief include one retired and three current senior Metropolitan Police officials. The names of the seven men were given to Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly and an advisory citizens panel Monday night, and one will be on the job by Dec. 1, City Administrator Robert Mallett said yesterday. The seven finalists came from 39 police officials whom Mr. Mallett asked to submit applications. Some of them were people who had expressed interest in the job. Sixteen of the 39 decided not to apply. Those not applying cited the $85,000 annual salary as a major reason, Mr. Mallett said. Noting that many cities pay police chiefs more than $100,000, he said, "We are not competitive with other large jurisdictions." Officials with the Fraternal Order of Police, the mayor's advisory council and several D.C. Council members reacted favorably to the finalists. "I am pleased that the short list seems to have been put on a faster track," said Andre Lewis, chairman of the FOP labor committee. "As an organization, we are also happy they chose to have four present and former members from the department on the list." Chief Isaac Fulwood Jr., who has publicly insisted that his successor be chosen from the department, has been told of the finalists, Mr. Mallett said. Chief Fulwood, who announced his retirement in August after 28 years on the force, was scheduled to leave Oct. 15 but agreed to stay until a successor is installed. One finalists is Deputy Chief Richard Pennington. Appointed by Chief Fulwood to the 7th District a little more than a year ago, he is said to be favored by the mayor. But residents have complained that he shuns community meetings and activities. Council member Charlene Drew Jarvis, an advocate of community policing, urged the mayor to hire one of the Police Department's finalists. "The focus I am dealing with is this drug problem, and with that you need someone who really knows the people, the history and the neighborhoods," Mrs. Jarvis said. "I don't know how you can direct a department without knowing these things," she said. "Of course, an outsider can learn, but the Police Department is not a place for on-the-job training." All but two of the candidates are black. Few Hispanics, whites or women applied for the job, Mr. Mallett said. Mr. Mallett said his brief conversations with the finalists indicate they all have strong backgrounds in community policing, a factor that will weigh heavily in the mayor's choice. "All of them have had extensive experience in crime control and crime reductions," he said. "They have served in a variety of capacities as patrol officers, administrative officers and in a variety of different positions in their communities." Three of the four outsiders are from major cities with diverse ethnic populations: * Assistant Chief Hiram A. Contreras, the only Hispanic candidate, is a 30-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, where the Hispanic community fought strongly for his promotions in the department, sources said yesterday. Chief Contreras has a "long track record" and does an extensive amount of off-hours work with community organizations, sources said. Reached yesterday at a conference, Chief Contreras said the first thing he would do if appointed is "assess the state of the department" and its implementation of community policing. "Sometimes departments say they have implemented community policing but they fail to grasp the fact that the department is engaged in organizational change," he said. * Deputy Police Commissioner Alan D. Lewis of the Philadelphia Police Department said he's honored to be among the finalists but will respect Mr. Mallett's request not to "engage in public comment." "If [former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Frank] Rizzo had lived and won [as mayor], Lewis would have been the police chief," said a source, adding that the deputy commissioner is a "law-and-order type." The source said he has "good sensibilities" in dealing with minorities and is "strong on community policing." * Deputy Chief Gerald Cooper, 52, head of the detective division of the Chicago Police Department, is a 31-year member of the force who practiced criminal and civil law for six years. * Fred Thomas, who retired from the D.C. force in 1985, said long-term solutions to crime demand an emphasis on youth and the continuation of Chief Fulwood's community policing program, which puts more officers on neighborhood foot patrols. "Long term, there needs to be an attempt to get Head Start in all . . . communities, particularly in public housing," he said. "Short term, we should try and focus in on adolescents, try and do things that are meaningful." The finalists now in the D.C. department, including Chief Pennington, had been frequently mentioned as possible contenders: * Assistant Chief Melvin High is said to be the most logical successor to Chief Fulwood because he is in the forefront of the chief's efforts to improve community-police relations. * Deputy Chief Roland Perry, the only white candidate, is said to be a good administrator who could help reorganize the department. Neither Chief High nor Chief Perry could be reached yesterday. ****PHOTOS/BOX D.C. POLICE CHIEF FINALISTS Hiram A. Contreras, 53, assistant chief of professional development services, Houston Police Department. In 30 years on the force, he has been a captain with the planning and research division, patrol division and major offenders division. He was promoted to assistant chief in 1991. He holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from Houston International University. Gerald A. Cooper, 52, deputy chief of detective division, Chicago Police Department. His 31-year career includes a six-year leave to practice law. He has been assistant deputy superintendent and general counsel to the police superintendent. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology/sociology from Chicago State University and a law degree from Loyola University. Melvin High, 48, assistant chief of patrol operations, Metropolitan Police. A 23-year member of the force, he served the last five as assistant chief for technical services, administrative services. He was deputy chief of the 6th District. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Tennessee State University and a master's in business and public administration from Southeastern University. Alan D. Lewis, 55, deputy police commissioner for special operations, Philadelphia Police Department. A 25-year veteran, he has served as senior staff instructor for the police academy, deputy public affairs officer and commanding officer for gang control, the narcotics field unit and East Police Division. He holds a certificate in police science and associate science degree from the Temple University Center for Administration of Justice. Richard J. Pennington, 45, deputy chief and 7th District commanding officer, Metropolitan Police. A 24-year member of the force, he has been commanding officer of homicide, director of community relations and deputy chief for the youth division. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from American University and a master's degree in counseling from the University of the District of Columbia. Roland W. Perry, 48, deputy chief and 2nd District commanding officer, Metropolitan Police. In 25 years on the force, he served as inspector for the office of finance and management and deputy chief for the youth division. He has a bachelor's degree in the administration of justice from the American University. Fred Thomas, 48, executive vice president of the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Club. He retired in 1985 after 20 years in the department, during which he was inspector of the training division, deputy chief of youth division and deputy chief and 6th District commanding officer. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in administration of justice from the American University. Source: Mayor's office This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM