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NEW BEDFORD — The City Council just won its latest battle against the mayor, and will soon take a vote to confirm the not-so-new police chief.
In a brief letter to the council on Nov. 4, Mayor Jon Mitchell said he would submit Police Chief Jason Thody to the council for confirmation on the condition that the councilors withdraw their lawsuit, effectively ending the squabble that started this summer.
In September, the council sued the mayor, alleging he was violating city code in not putting the police chief before the council for approval. Mitchell maintained he was well within his powers and the law, and did not need the council’s OK.
The City Council took up Mitchell’s letter during Thursday night’s meeting and voted to refer the matter to the committee on appointments and briefings, where they will invite Thody to speak and answer questions.
“As members of the City Council and I recognize, the pending litigation concerning the confirmability of the police chief is likely to result in the commitment of significant city resources,” Mitchell wrote this month.
“At a time when the department is implementing new policies and reforms to strengthen its legitimacy in the eyes of the public and make our neighborhoods safer, this is something the City cannot afford,” he continued.
Council President Shane Burgo said, “It’s about time.” As for the lawsuit, he said the council will withdraw it from county court, stating the conflict has been resolved.
Thody was in attendance at Thursday’s council meeting, where Councilors Linda Morad and Shawn Oliver spoke positively of the police chief and said they looked forward to his confirmation.
Morad, who is retiring at the end of this term, shared her congratulations with Thody in case she is no longer in office when they take up the matter.
Councilor Naomi Carney, who chairs the appointments and briefings committee, said they will hold Thody’s hearing during the December meeting.
Thody submitted a letter to the council this week, in which he outlined his one-year goals and objectives for the department, according to Burgo, who said the council will make the letter public later this month.
Burgo said he’s been “impressed” by Thody’s work so far, including the introduction of bike patrols and establishment of a satellite office at the downtown bus terminal.
Thody, a transplant from Hartford, Connecticut, where he served as police chief, has been leading the New Bedford police force since July.
He was selected from 21 applicants who went through a screening committee put together by Mitchell in the spring. City Councilors Brian Gomes and Oliver served on the committee.
As part of the process, the committee asked candidates seven standard questions. They regarded crime, the unhoused population, mental illness and addiction, police culture, and media coverage of the department.
“Are you aware of the recent media attention the New Bedford Police Department has received? Tell us your thoughts concerning these allegations and how might you go about addressing them within our community?” the document states. (Thody’s answers, apparently provided verbally in an interview before the committee, were not made public.)
The Police Department came under scrutiny this year over the conduct of its narcotics officers, and “weaknesses” in the unit that investigates officer misconduct.
Thody received several other specific questions, but the city redacted them in its response to The Light’s public records request.
In his two-page cover letter to the city, Thody described his approach to law enforcement as “progressive,” and listed reforms adopted under his leadership in Hartford as evidence of his suitability for the top position.
Thody wrote that his bachelor’s degree in business management and master’s degree in public safety would allow him to “bring a theoretical and academic foundation to support evidence-based decision-making processes.”
“My ethos has always emphasized the importance of leading by example, upholding the values of integrity, accountability, innovation, teamwork, and respect, all core tenets of The New Bedford Way,” Thody wrote.
The Light interviewed 12 candidates for City Council, a mix of incumbents and challengers, ahead of the election. Of those, only one, Carney, said she would vote no on Thody’s confirmation, stating she didn’t agree with hiring someone outside of the department.
Newly elected Councilor James Roy said he would ask Thody about how he plans to make the department “more equitable and transparent.”
Councilor Joe Lopes said he would ask how Thody will increase “police awareness” (which he defined as bringing police into neighborhoods and communities) in a “positive light.” He said he would also ask what resources Thody thinks the department needs.
Councilor Ian Abreu said he would ask about Thody’s views on community policing and how lessons learned from his time as police chief in Hartford can be implemented in New Bedford.
Thody requires the support of the majority, so six of the 11 councilors, to be confirmed.
Email Anastasia E. Lennon at alennon@newbedfordlight.org.
Inquire about the status of the investigation into the arrested criminal who had a gun in his possession that was registered to an active police officer of the New Bedford Police Department.
“Transparency” a little opaque in this instance.
Wishing the Chief the best of luck in leading our city’s Police Force. There is no victory here for the Mayor or the Council. The ongoing riff and failure to communicate between this Administration and the Council is embarrassing and only hurts the city. Our city deserves so much better.
What an achievement. Our own mini filibuster game. The public should be so proud
Rules are meant to be followed for a reason. It’s ridiculous of those to think they are privileged and above the law. Just do your freaking job! By the book!
Welcome to Chief Brody, based on the article you wrote, or conducting business in the past. Unfortunately, New Bedford must help themselves and others by mid to late June, or late July, but with the sergeants, lieutenants, and community Police Chief
I have no doubt the residents resturaunts, nightlife, and homeowners, the city can and will do better.
With your education, your approach your Policing have no doubt with your credentials as Police Chief of a larger city like Hartford, you’ll have no problems here.
I’m looking forward to meeting you, and possibly taking 15 minutes of your time to tour the hot spots.
Good luck, I’m looking forward to the positive changing you’ll be making soon.
Regards,
Pete