James Rovella Named Permanent Hartford Police Chief

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has appointed James Rovella as the permanent police chief after Rovella served as interim chief since February, concluding a year-long search. Rovella, who previously led the Hartford Police Department from 2012 to 2018 and served as Connecticut's commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, came out of retirement after initial candidate Tyrell McCoy withdrew due to revelations of sexual misconduct allegations. Mayor Arulampalam cited Rovella’s steady leadership, deep Hartford roots, and commitment to community-first and data-driven policing as key qualifications. Rovella has expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed his dedication to public safety and community partnerships. A community advisory group will organize town halls to engage residents in dialogue about public safety as the appointment process continues. The appointment is widely regarded as a move to restore stability and trust during a pivotal time for the city.