Southwick Board of Selectmen offer police chief job to Lt. David Ricardi

Police Chief Mark Krynicki announced his retirement on March 25, and his last day on the job will be May 31.

Southwick Town Hall Dave Roback, The Republican  

SOUTHWICK – Just two weeks after Police Chief Mark J. Krynicki announced his retirement, town officials offered the position to Lt. David A. Ricardi, a longtime member of the force recommended for the job by Krynicki.

The three-member Board of Selectmen made the offer to Ricardi during its regular meeting on Monday night after a 2-1 vote with board member Tracy L. Cesan voting against the motion in order to give other candidates the opportunity to step forward.

She made it clear she was showing no disrespect to Ricardi, but instead wants more respect for the process.

“I thought we were just discussing the process,” she said. “I didn’t know we were going to vote on this.”

David Ricardi
The Republican File Photo




 

Cesan said she preferred offering the job to a member of the department, but also would have liked to see the job posted in-house to give other qualified members of the force the opportunity to apply for consideration. She agreed that Ricardi is qualified and a good candidate.

Selectman Russell S. Fox made the motion to offer the job to Ricardi, and board chairman Arthur G. Pinell seconded the motion.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought,” Fox said. “We have an individual on the force right now who has been in an acting capacity with the know-how to take over. I would like to offer it to offer it to Lt. Ricardi."

Also present at the meeting was Sgt. Kevin Bishop, who had indicated he was interested in the position, but said he would support Ricardi no matter what was decided.

Krynicki announced his retirement on March 25, and his last day on the job will be May 31.

In his notice of retirement, Krynicki did not cite a particular reason for his decision, but he did indicate that he will be available on only a limited basis until his retirement in order to use earned time off that he has not yet used.

While he is out, he asked that any correspondence be directed to Ricardi.
“In my absence, Lt. Ricardi will be able to carry on the business decisions required to operate the police department,” Krynicki stated.