December 26, 2013

GOV. MALLOY: DESPP COMMISSIONER REUBEN F. BRADFORD ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Reuben F. Bradford, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), will retire early next year.

"Commissioner Bradford did an exceptional job of leading the state's first responders through a period where they were tested time and time again," said Governor Malloy. "Through five presidential emergency declarations and unspeakable tragedy, he worked with the dedicated men and women at the department to make sure that residents received assistance often during their darkest hours. He also led the department through administrative changes that were both necessary and long overdue. I want to thank him for his service, and wish him well on his retirement."

Commissioner Bradford was an early appointee of the Governor, bringing decades of both law enforcement and management experience to DESPP. He led the administration's efforts to revamp the agency. Some of his accomplishments include restoring the crime lab's national accreditation and virtually eliminating any backlogs at the facility; meeting every deadline during the implementation of the recent Gun Violence Prevention Legislation; and significantly expanding the scope of his department's work to incorporate the former Department of Homeland Security and other offices in order to achieve greater efficiency in state government.

"Working at the Department has presented many challenges, but the underlying work ethic of the people who make up this critically important agency made the task at hand worthwhile," said Commissioner Bradford. "While we have accomplished much, there is much more to be done. I want to thank the Governor for giving me the opportunity to once again serve the people of Connecticut."

DESPP is comprised of six divisions: the Division of State Police; the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications; the Division of Scientific Services; the Division of Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC) and the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control/Connecticut Fire Academy.

Commissioner Bradford's retirement will be effective on February 1st. Work to find his replacement began several weeks ago when the Commissioner raised the possibility of his retirement with the Governor's Chief of Staff.

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For Immediate Release: December 26, 2013

Contact: Andrew Doba

Andrew.Doba@ct.gov

860-524-7308 (office)
860-770-8090 (cell)

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy