City Council rejects mayor’s proposal to change police chief hiring process

By The Advocate

Mayor Patrick Keefe was at the City Council meeting this week with a request to change the process of appointing the city’s police chief. Keefe was looking to eliminate the requirement that candidates for the top job in the department must come from the ranks by repealing Section 3 of Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2001 in its entirety; the section requires the city to hire a police chief from within the department, and that the candidate be a captain or a lieutenant with at least five years in that position. Keefe added that there would continue to be a vigorous internal search process but it would be expanded to external candidates.

“I have the utmost respect for our officers and I’m assuring them we are bringing on the very best,” said Keefe. “We want to have the best chief of police for our city.”

While Keefe stressed that this would make the process professional, rigorous and competitive, there was virtually no support for making the change. Sergeants Dennis Hickey and Joseph Internicola, along with Lt. Robert Zagarella, represented the Superior Officers Association and expressed clear opposition to the idea.

“We believe the mayor has our best interests in mind,” said Hickey. “But we are composed of a body of 33 eligible candidates.”

Internicola added that the change would “adversely affect members of the police department.”

Ward 6 Councillor Chris Giannino, a retired Revere police sergeant, said it was a good idea but the timing was wrong with current Chief David Callahan’s contract soon to expire. Keefe agreed and said he hoped the proposal would be referred to a subcommittee where it could be reviewed and discussed.

“The current chief is under contract, which could be renewed, or he might get picked up by another city or town,” said Keefe, adding that the proposed change is a proactive step to be ready if a new chief is needed.

Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto made a motion to send Keefe’s request to the Legislative Affairs Subcommittee, but there was not even enough support for it to undergo further review.

“I’m not in agreement with this,” said Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro. “The thought of having someone come from outside the city to run the city makes me uncomfortable.”

Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya stressed the benefits of hiring from within the department. “An internal candidate is already familiar with the department’s operations and challenges, which allows them to step into the role without the need for extensive training. Police Officers in Revere know their city, they know the residents, they know the needs of each section of the city,” said Guarino-Sawaya. “A police chief from within will have established trust and rapport with the officers, staff and the community, fostering unity and high morale. They understand the unique needs and dynamics of the city and sections of the city they serve, enabling them to implement policies and strategies that are effective.”

Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas agreed that internal candidates have a distinct edge. “Once you bring an outsider in, you’re already playing catch up. This should stay in house,” he said.

Both Cogliandro and Guarino-Sawaya said changing the appointment process could convince officers there is no room for career growth within the department. Cogliandro said some officers may choose to leave Revere. Guarino-Sawaya said promoting from within demonstrates a clear pathway for career advancement.

“Our officers need to feel appreciated. By hiring outside the department, we are telling them they are not good enough, which simply is not the case,” she said.

Keefe agreed that the experience of internal candidates trumps other qualifications and said the change was only to have the opportunity to interview outside candidates. As for career advancement, Keefe pointed out that the Revere Police Superior Officers Association has 33 members – more than neighboring cities and towns.

City Council President Marc Silvestri said what was troubling about the proposed change and the opposition to it was the implication that a Revere Police Officer couldn’t leave and succeed in another city. “I don’t think that’s right,” said Silvestri, who asked if the criteria for being appointed chief could be reviewed and changed.

Keefe said it could but the council didn’t want to go in that direction, voting 9-0 to reject the mayor’s request. Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky voted present and Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley was absent.