New Haven Police Chief Continues Time Off Following Suspension: Mayor

The mayor of New Haven said Police Chief Dean Esserman will not be returning to work immediately following his suspension.

Mayor Toni Harp said Esserman's disciplinary leave, which started on July 25, will end on Monday as planned, but he will now be on temporary sick leave. 

“I am eager for residents, property owners and those visiting and doing business in New Haven to be assured their public safety requirements are being effectively met by the very capable command staff and officers of the New Haven Police Department,” Harp said.

On Friday questions surrounded Esserman's status after sources said a meeting between the mayor and the police chief was about his resignation. 

Laurance Grotheer, the city's spokesman, said Esserman did not resign nor did the mayor ask him to resign.

Earlier this year, Esserman allegedly berated a waitress at a New Haven restaurant, an employee told NBC Connecticut. The accusations of the incident surfaced during his paid absence.

It was the second time the mayor punished the chief since he was appointed to the top job in the police department. In 2014, he was reprimanded after a confrontation with an usher at Yale Bowl.

Assistant Chief Anthony Campbell has been acting chief during Esserman's absence.

Protests to call for Esserman to be removed from his position are planned for today at police headquarters and city hall, 

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