The Safe Choice is the Right Choice

With their long-awaited decision on a replacement for former Police Chief Dean Esserman, Public Safety Commissioner Pare and Mayor Taveras have chosen to take the safe route. It’s a wise decision.

By allowing Acting Police Chief Hugh Clements to lop off the lead adjective, they have cast their lot with maintaining the force pretty much as it is. While many of us anticipated the new chief would come from outside the department, given last year’s arrest of three local officers for drug dealing and a scary videotape of an overzealous officer on tape, the selection of the well-respected Clements will sit well with the rank and file.

The new chief has been with the force since 1985, beginning as a street cop, and he steadily rose through the ranks. As a longtime veteran, he won’t need a road map to navigate the city. And though his personality and demeanor are quite different from the more imperious predecessor, it appears he is as committed to community policing and top-down management as his former boss.

His selection comes at a troubling time for the city. There have been three gang-related killings in the past few weeks, against only 12 for all of last year. It’s a pattern that has even veteran cops concerned, we’re told. Promoting from within produces stability both within the force and the community. It’s exactly what’s called for during these challenging times.