Acting Captain Named, Chief Search Continues for WLPD

As it continues its search for a new police chief, the Windsor Locks Police Commission has chosen another member of the department to help oversee the daily operations.

At its meeting Friday night, the commission promoted 35-year force veteran Sgt. Francis Baron to acting captain and charged him with assisting Acting Chief Chester DeGray to " until a permanent chief is hired," according to .

In a news release sent out early Saturday, Brace wrote that Baron was an "obvious choice when we decided we needed to temporarily fill the vacant captain’s position with a genuine leader who is respected by the community, and the men and women under his command."

Baron is a lifelong resident of Windsor Locks and has served as a sergeant in the department since 1988.

To help in the actual search process for the department's next chief, the commission decided Friday to retain the services of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, according to Brace.

"We are not taking our job of selecting the next police chief lightly," Brace wrote. "We are being very cautious because of what this selection means to the residents and the Department."

Former Police Chief John Suchocki retired in August after a several tumultuous months that included a review of the department’s possible mishandling of the investigation into the death of a local teenager who was allegedly struck and killed by an off-duty WLPD officer.

In January, the commission thought it had found the perfect match for the department when members extended an offer to current Brandford Asst. Chief Thomas Fowler. Yet, in February, for the position.

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association will re-advertise the position and guide the commission through the process, which is free and should take 10 to 12 weeks, according to Brace.

“The right leader for our department is out there, I am confident that we will find them," Brace wrote.