New Haven's Talking: Police Under Fire

In a spirited debate over tea and coffee, New Haven’s embattled police chief vowed to “fine-tune” his approach in the wake of a rank-and-file no-confidence vote but also to take technological steps to identify abusive officers earlier.

“I think it’s a lesson we can all learn from,” Chief Frank Limon said in reference to last week’s 246-21 non-binding vote against his first 10 months’ performance in office. “I don’t take it personally.

“But I realize I’ve got to fine-tune what I do as a leader and a manager.”

Limon made the remarks during a moderated 35-minute back-and-forth with community activist Barbara Fair and Alderman and retired police Capt. Gerald Antunes about recent controversies hitting his department.

The debate took place Thursday at Bru Cafe, the second installment in a “New Haven’s Talking” series produced jointly by the Independent and NBC Connecticut Channel 30. The series builds on news stories, like coverage of the no-confidence vote, that have generated discussion in the Independent. Some of the key actors come to Bru to discuss the issue further and respond to some of the posted reader comments. Channel 30’s cameras roll; then an edited version of the debate airs on Channel 30.

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