New Haven's police chief is apologizing for his behavior toward an usher at a Yale University football game in September, which prompted a Yale professor to complain to a city alderman.
Yale professor Daniel Weinberger sent a letter to his local alderman after a Yale-Army game during which, he said, New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman declined to show an usher his ticket.
The usher told Weinberger that Esserman was a "jerk," at which point the chief yelled at him and asked the usher's supervisor that he "be removed from the premises," according to Weinberger's complaint.
Chief Esserman admitted that he was wrong and said he apologized for the confrontation after it happened.
"He did the right thing by writing that letter," Esserman said of Weinberger Friday afternoon. "Not only did he do the right thing, but it reinforces how much I did the wrong thing."
The chief said he never tried to hide his conduct and has reflected on the events of that day.
"What I said was so off-base that I hope I win back my citizens' good faith over the years ahead," Esserman said. "Having a bad day is not an excuse. When you're wrong, you have to acknowledge it and you got to reflect on it."
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New Haven Mayor Toni Harp declined to comment on the situation Thursday, citing personnel matters. Esserman said he hopes his dedication to serving the people of New Haven will compensate for his actions.
"But when you make a mistake, you need to acknowledge it. You need to be humbled by it, you need to really think on it and not try and defend yourself," he said.
Multiple aldermen said the complaint will be acknowledged at Monday's meeting but not discussed.
