As the New Haven Police Union and several community groups continuing pressuring Chief Dean Esserman to step down, Mayor Toni Harp spoke to NBC Connecticut for the first time since the embattled chief began sick leave on Tuesday.
"I did not ask him to resign," she said. "He is looking at all of these things that happened and is considering his options."
Harp hasn’t spoken with Esserman since last Friday, she said, adding they discussed conditions he must meet before returning to his job as the city’s top cop.
"There are some conditions that he has to fulfill," Harp said. "When we discussed them he indicated no problem fulfilling all of those, so that is not a barrier, it is really up to him when he returns."
Critics said Esserman should not be credited for New Haven’s declining crime rates, but Harp specifically points to the sharp drop in deadly shootings since he became chief five years ago.
"He knows how to prevent crime and reduce crime in the community and he has helped us do that here," Harp said. "We're a much safer city since he's been here."
After Esserman berated a waitress at Archie Moore’s Restaurant, the mayor placed him on a 15 working day paid leave of absence for behavior she called "unbecoming of a public official."
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Two years ago, Esserman apologized for arguing with an usher and threatening to shut down a football game at the Yale Bowl.
Police Union Members voted 170-42 "no confidence" in Esserman earlier this summer, citing his public outbursts, plus low morale, intimidation and a hostile work environment.
Tuesday, a group of protestors marched from the Police Department to City Hall demanding the removal or resignation of Essesrman, at times chanting: "Hey, ho Esserman has got to go."
"Any idea how long this sick leave will last?" NBC Connecticut asked the mayor.
"I really don’t," Harp said. "It’s really up to Chief Esserman."
As for filling the New Haven Fire Chief vacancy, the mayor said she is hoping to make an announcement next week.
The three final candidates she interviewed are from North Haven, New Jersey and Kansas City, Missouri.
