New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman’s three week disciplinary leave ended Monday. But he’s still not back on the job.
In a statement Mayor Toni Harp said Esserman will now transition immediately to earned and accrued sick time. But there are no specifics indicating how much longer the chief will be out.
This follows an incident in which he reportedly berated a waitress at a local restaurant. It’s the second time Harp’s reprimanded him for his conduct in public.
Outside city hall, long-time New Haven activist Barbara Fair reacted to the mayor’s statement in disbelief.
"I’m just speechless, because I just assumed that this was a no-brainer, she had to let him go," said Fair. "This is his behavior. That’s why he never stays anywhere very long. I’m just baffled. I just really felt that she was listening to the community."
Esserman was also suspended for a day without pay for an incident in 2011, when he was chief of police in Providence, Rhode Island.
Mayor Harp met with all three of the city’s assistant chiefs last Friday. It’s unclear at this point if Esserman will be returning.
