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NEW BEDFORD — Police Chief Jason Thody was officially confirmed by the City Council and sworn in by its clerk on Thursday night, even though he has been serving as the department’s leader since July.
The applause and handshakes that followed were a positive denouement to a battle fought between the mayor and City Council over their respective authorities to confirm the police chief. The only no vote was Councilor-at-Large Naomi Carney, who again voiced her position that the department should appoint leadership from within its ranks.
Thody was one of three finalists passed on to Mayor Jon Mitchell by a screening committee that he organized. One of the three finalists was a New Bedford captain, per Carney.
“I’m glad at this point it’s been vetted in all the ways it can be vetted,” Thody said. “It brings more legitimacy to me being here … it’s still an honor to say the words and raise your hand.”
Asked what he thought of Carney’s remarks about elevating internal talent, Thody said sometimes an outside perspective is good because it offers a fresh way of thinking.
“I think everyone can agree that what some of the consultants found was that there was some change that could come to the NBPD that would improve the way that the Police Department runs,” he said, referring to the paid consultants Jensen Hughes and 21st Century Policing Solutions.
He said he appreciated Carney’s sentiment, and that the goal of the department is for officers to climb the ranks.
“I hope someday to pass the baton here on to somebody from inside,” Thody said. “Part of leadership’s responsibility is preparing the next chief, the next deputy chief.”
The department is currently hiring for Thody’s second-in-command, deputy chief (sworn), as well as chief of staff and public records administrator — both new civilian positions.
Residency and the experience or ability to engage in collective bargaining are listed as preferred requirements for deputy chief.
Thody said experience counts, but coming from New Bedford will also factor into his review. He also said it’s important for the deputy chief to have had experience outside of the union and sitting on the “non-union side of the table.”
The department has received about 20 applications each for the civilian openings, and has scheduled interviews. They’ve gotten fewer — about five or six — for deputy chief, but will be posting the position to other platforms.
During his confirmation hearing in December, councilors pressed Thody on how much power he’d have independent of Mitchell, particularly when it comes to personnel decisions. Thody described it as a “team approach” with the mayor for hirings, firings and promotions.
Asked about the mayor’s involvement for these open positions, Thody on Thursday said Mitchell has given him “carte blanche” to fill the positions, but that he still wants to have discussions with Mitchell as part of the hiring process.
Email Anastasia E. Lennon at alennon@newbedfordlight.org.
