On the heels of a state Supreme Court decision that put to rest a lawsuit that had halted police department promotions for years, the police chief announced Monday that he has signed on to lead the department for another two years. The news comes just weeks before the department's No. 2 command official, Michael Pacewitz is set to officially retire under the conditions of a separation agreement worked out with the town last year.
Both agreements aim to turn the tide within the department, which has been plagued with litigation and internal conflict. However, the agreements have also caused rumblings within the rank and file over the fairness of the closed-door deals.
Greenwich Chief David Ridberg will be here until November 2011.
Ridberg who is laughing all the way to the bank has not revealed his plans beyond that date.
The agreement, that is going to make Greenwich taxpayers pay through the nose, stipulates that Ridberg be paid an annual $36,000 stipend issued monthly on top of his $145,000 base salary through November 2011.
The stipend puts Ridberg at the top end of the salary range for his position, which is capped at $186,000.
First Selectman Peter Tesei said the decision to compensate Ridberg was the only viable option he saw to help the department transition into a new era following several tenuous years caused by a police lieutenant's lawsuit that froze promotions to the top four command staff positions.
Since December 2008, all four positions have been vacant.
The cause of the injunction, a lawsuit filed by Lt. Gary Honulik in 2004 over a controversial promotion to captain.
The town also entered into an agreement with Captain Michael Pacewicz, the department's second-in-command, in December 2008 stipulating that the department veteran would step down at the end of 2008, but remain on active payroll until Nov. 1, 2009, using accrued vacation and sick time in addition to 25 weeks of severance pay.
Pacewicz was promoted to captain over Honulik in 2003, a move that led to the lawsuit.
The separation agreement also stipulates that Pacewicz will receive a lump sum of $17,800 in additional compensation for his years of service.
Pacewicz's final salary was $117,870. He also received a 10 percent bump in his pension enabling him to reach the maximum pension percentage a police officer can receive.
First Selectman Peter Tesei said he agreed that removing Pacewicz helped ease tensions in the department.
Sgt. James Bonney, president of the Silver Shield Association police union, has repeatedly declined to comment on Pacewicz's retirement package.
Many front line police officers have voiced concerns about the agreements awarding additional compensation while the rank and file has been forced to pick up much of the slack caused by the injunction.
The department has delegated many tasks typically completed by captains and deputy chiefs to lieutenants as a result of the injunction.
Mr. Tesei is the acting police commissioner of Greenwich.
Tesei said the proposal is pending approval by the Board of Estimate and Taxation, but hopes the promotional process could be complete within 6 months.
Tesei said they were hopeful the department would be able to move forward and make up for lost time.
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