Mayor Rivera’s press release on January 12, 2018.
When I got elected back in 2014, I promised to rebuild our Public Safety Departments and in the past four years we have done just that. We have increased the total number of active duty officers on the street from as low as 115 to 145 with addition of 23 new police officers and fewer officers out on ILD and in administrative posts. We have worked on morale issues; providing new vehicles and new equipment, customer service training, along with a reenergized effort for a new police station. There have been many improvements to LPD administrative processes and bureaucracy. Specifically, we have implemented better tools to manage internal affairs, civilian complaints and commendations, and evidence storage. We have diversified the department with the hiring of new, bilingual recruits and creative solutions in the Civil Service selection process. This is the most ethnically and gender diverse police hiring effort in the department’s history. All of this includes the appointment of the first two Hispanic police lieutenants in decades, as well as the first Latina detective in the department’s history.
There has been great progress in reducing crime in all areas, including decreases in car thefts, simple assaults, residential and commercial burglaries, with the exception of homicides. While my office and the City Council and the hardworking men and women of LPD supported this effort, this has been the work of Chief James Fitzpatrick. We could not have done these things without his leadership. He has been a great partner in rebuilding the department and its integrity.
After some discussion with Chief Fitzpatrick he has given me and I have accepted his resignation as Chief of the Lawrence police department and as of January 13th, 2018 he will be reinstated to his position as Captain in the Department. This action is not a reflection on Chief Fitzpatrick or his time leading the department. I thank Chief Fitzpatrick for his time as Chief and wish him and his family all the best.
As of January 13th, 2018 I will be appointing Captain Roy Vasque as Acting Chief of Police until a permanent appointment can be made. He will have full authority and powers of the Chief. Meanwhile I will be in conversations with members of the City Council and the different unions, and members of the community as we work through this transition.
We as an administration, along with the Acting Chief, are hoping to focus the department on some new goals in the next four years. Amongst these goals are:
- An increased tempo and effort against the growing Opioid Crisis in our City;
- Focus to stem the violence that has increased homicide numbers
- Finalize the creation of the Director of Community Relations position at the LPD to improve community relations in all aspects, but with specific focus on the victims of crime, including domestic violence victims and runaways.
My administration, along with the Interim Chief, will work hard to ensure a thoughtful, smooth transition for the residents of the city and the men and women of the Lawrence Police Department.
