New London Police Chief Announces Retirement

NEW LONDON, CT — New London Police Chief Peter Reichard has announced his retirement after 34 years in law enforcement, according to a statement.

Reichard is know for his strong ties with New London residents and for leveraging technology to predict and prevent crime.

"Chief Reichard has worked very well with the community, and he has established a great deal of innovative proactive policing approaches with the goal of enhancing the quality of life in the city," Mayor Michael E. Passero said in a statement. "Chief Reichard resorted to technology in many useful ways to predict and interdict criminal behavior and dealing with nuisance issues in the community. Those efforts had seen reductions in serious crimes during his tenure as our Police Chief."

Reichard came to new London after retiring as an assistant chief from the New Haven Police Department, where he was for 25 years. He spent the past nine years with the New London Police Department, half of that as deputy chief and the last half as police chief.

Passero congratulated Reichard on his longstanding and courageous service. "Our city certainly appreciates his leadership and his many efforts to address issues," Passero said in a statement. "We wish him and his family the very best in his future professional endeavors."

Veteran Police Captain Brian Wright will be elevated to the position of acting police chief immediately, and he will assume command of the New London Police Department.

Captain Wright has been with the police department for more than 27 years. "His professional approach, leadership style, and vision of policing provides me with full confidence in him, and I look forward to working with him closely during this critical transition period," Passero said.