Search for Police Commissioner Ends with Right “Fit”
Earlier this month, 15 new officers joined the Mount Vernon Police Department, and Shawn Harris was named as the city’s Police Commissioner. This welcome news comes at a time when policing has never been more challenging but more promising.
From street gangs to cyber criminals to terrorists operating where you least expect them, the list of threats never stops. But so have our crime-fighting capabilities like Project Bright Knight, where 21st century technology is put to use to make our police force smarter and our city safer. The results are positive. Overall, crime across Mount Vernon was down 3 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year.
Successful policing comes down to leadership. As mayor, it is my job to choose the person who can best lead the men and women of our police department. But I did not act alone. Commissioner Harris also had the backing of the Mount Vernon community. To ensure a community consensus, I created the Public Safety Review Commission, made up of a dozen clergy members of various faiths, educators, business people, homeowners, advocates representing a wide variety of interests.
These volunteers gave up their Tuesday nights for months to vet the applications of 141 candidates who responded to our national search for a police commissioner. Not every candidate was a contender. But those who were received serious consideration.
The discussions were intense. Not surprising. Policing has the power to both divide and unite. In the end, dialogue sorted through differences. But the stress can not be minimized. Listening to inconvenient truths can be overwhelming. Just ask the Mayor of Chicago who ended up doing an end run around the recommendations of his civilian advisory board.
But in Mount Vernon, the candor led to common ground. My thanks go out to the members of our Police Review Commission and special thanks to Human Resources Commissioner Milissa Ralph, who led the group.
One of her observations underscores the importance of the effort. Reviewing credentials was obviously important. But the thing that separated all the leading candidates was “fit.” The commission probed deeply to get to know each candidate, and they in turn got to know not just the commission but the soul of city as well.
In addition to selecting a commissioner, the process built relationships, and they are not going away. Members of the commission will continue to offer their insights and advice to the new commissioner as he works to build a stronger and safer city.
We go into the new year with the ranks of the police department topping 200 for the first time since dramatic cuts were imposed by the previous administration. With the selection of Shawn Harris, Mount Vernon gets a veteran of the Iraq war, a seasoned police officer, a smart manager and a hometown native as commissioner.
In other words, a leader with the right “fit” to be successful.
Originally Published in the Westchester County Press — January 23, 2018
