Barry Connell named interim Newark police chief

NEWARK – Listening to Barry Connell take the oath of office as interim Newark police chief Friday afternoon, you would never guess he was nervous.

But minutes later, Connell confessed to his anxiety.

"I'm extremely nervous with being trusted with the entire division of police," he said.

Connell will take over at 12:01 a.m. Saturday for Chief Steven Sarver, who is retiring after seven years in the department.

Connell began as a patrol officer in 1990, was promoted to sergeant in 1998 and then moved to captain in 2010. He has worked as a canine handler and trainer and oversaw a five-year reorganization of the department's property room. He also has worked in three of the department's four bureaus.

Connell said he hopes to work on relationships within the department and with the community during his tenure — which, he is quick to remind anyone who brings it up, is only temporary.

All four of the Newark Division of Police's captains were in the running for the interim position, and all four remain in the running for the official chief's position.

Safety Director Bill Spurgeon said a decision on who the new chief will be could be made within the next 70 to 120 days. The candidates have to take a test, and then Mayor Jeff Hall will make the ultimate decision.

Connell said he was proud the position would remain within the department after the two previous chiefs had been hired from outside.

"All the others are as qualified or more than I am," he said. "I'd be disappointed if it wasn't me, but I wouldn't have a problem with it."

Connell said he wants to sit down with every employee of the police department, both sworn and not sworn, to hear their ideas for the department.

"The police department belongs to every employee who works here," he said. "They're sailing the ship in the night."

Connell told the officers in attendance at his swearing-in ceremony that he hoped he would make them proud.

Connell was accompanied during the ceremony by his wife, Andrea; sons James and John; daughter, Kendra; and granddaughter, Tessa.