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: 2 insiders top list for new chief Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 14:51:51 EST Message-ID: \SE A \HD 2 insiders top list for new chief \SH Decision called crucial for Kelly \BY Brian Reilly \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES The Police Department's second-in-command and the head of the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Club have emerged as front-runners to succeed retired Police Chief Isaac Fulwood Jr., said sources involved in the selection process. The two men - Assistant Chief Melvin High and retired Deputy Chief Fred Thomas - were rated highest by a selection panel that handed its critiques of seven candidates to Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly on Sunday, the sources said yesterday. "We made it clear that they were the top candidates for the job," said one member of the panel, which will not make a formal recommendation. At a Veterans Day ceremony yesterday, Mrs. Kelly insisted there were no leading candidates, saying she was impressed with all of the finalists. But panel members believe Mrs. Kelly is now focusing on an internal candidate after friends and associates warned her against selecting someone from outside the department. Top officials in police departments in Houston, Chicago and Philadelphia were among the seven contenders on the short list for chief released last month. The focus on insiders is good news for the local police union, which has called for a new chief familiar with the day-to-day operations of the Metropolitan Police Department. "Given the state of the department in the terms of labor unrest, financial cutbacks and a shortage of resources, I will welcome an insider who is dedicated to resolving all these problems," said Officer Andre Lewis, chairman of the D.C. Labor Committee of the Fraternal Order of Police. For the past two months, police and government sources said Mrs. Kelly was leaning toward the 7th District commander, Deputy Chief Richard Pennington. The 7th District, which includes areas south of Pennsylvania Avenue and east of the Anacostia River, has seen a considerable drop in homicides since last year. But panel members said yesterday that Chief Pennington was not rated as highly as the other two contenders because he is perceived as a passive manager. Chief High, 48, assistant chief of patrol operations, was highly touted in the reviews sent to the mayor, and panel members said he was the most prepared for his interview with the board. He committed himself to dramatic changes in the operation of the department and had the most experience with its inner workings, the report said. The 18-member advisory panel noted his ties to the community: As No. 2 man in the department, Chief High often represented Chief Fulwood at neighborhood meetings. One committee member also noted that there is a tradition of promoting the department's second-in-command. Both Chief Fulwood and his predecessor, Chief Maurice Turner, were promoted from the post Chief High now holds. As head of patrol operations, Chief High also oversees the department's largest bureau and is in constant contact with almost two-thirds of the force. "Chief High knows how the system works and works with the members of the force," Officer Lewis said yesterday. "You can't get anyone who is more knowledgeable of things." Ties to the community were also a prominent point in support of Mr. Thomas, who as vice president of the Metropolitan Police Department's Boys and Girls Club has dealt with several local community and business leaders. Mr. Thomas, 48, is seen as a possible compromise choice for Mrs. Kelly. His 20 years with the department familiarized him with operations there, but he retired in 1985, before it was hit with widespread accusations of corruption and criminal charges against officers. Some sources say the mayor may have already made her selection but will wait until City Administrator Robert Mallett returns from vacation early next week before announcing it. Mr. Mallett promised last month that a new chief would be chosen by Dec. 1. Members of the Mayor's Advisory Council for the Selection of a New Police Chief have said this appointment could be the most important Mrs. Kelly makes, and they said she has extended the process to ensure that all options are reviewed. The remaining candidates are Roland W. Perry, 48, deputy chief in command of the 2nd District; Hiram A. Contreras, 53, assistant chief of professional development services at the Houston Police Department; Gerald A. Cooper, 52, deputy chief of the detective division in Chicago; and Alan D. Lewis, 55, deputy police commissioner for special operations in Philadelphia. 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