Cambridge Announces Finalist for Police Commissioner
Meet the finalist forum to be held on June 20, 2017
June 16, 2017 – The City of Cambridge today announced Branville G. Bard,, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA as the finalist in the search process for a new Police Commissioner. In January, the City engaged the services of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to develop a leadership profile, conduct recruitment, and perform the initial screening of applicants.
"I am pleased that the search process yielded a highly qualified candidate who can lead Cambridge’s 21st-century police department beginning on day one," City Manager Louis A. DePasquale said. "Chief Bard has a proven track record and possess the qualities that our community expects in a Police Commissioner: cultural awareness and sensitivity, a commitment to department-wide equity and inclusiveness, a deep commitment to procedural justice, and visionary, effective, and strong police leadership."
Chief Bard currently serves as the Chief of Police and the Director of Public Safety for the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Police Department. Prior to this, he served in numerous positions for the Philadelphia Police Department, including Police Inspector, and Police Captain for the 22nd District. Chief Bard holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from Valdosta State University.
"Chief Bard has an appreciation for the unique challenges faced by sanctuary cities, and will take a data-driven approach to improvement, quality assurance, and policing," City Manager DePasquale said. "I want to thank the City staff, community stakeholders, and members of the City Manager’s Advisory Committee who participated in the selection process to date, and provided me with valuable feedback on each of the candidates. I am so pleased that a representative group of the Cambridge community could participate in this confidential hiring process."
Chief Bard was selected as a finalist following two days of in-person interviews held in Cambridge in early May. Five candidates were initially interviewed in May. The first day of interviews included two review panels comprised of City staff and community stakeholders. After the initial day of interviews and a debriefing of the panels, each candidate was interviewed by City Manager DePasquale and Deputy City Manager Peterson. This week, Chief Bard participated in a day-long series of additional interviews with City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City staff. On June 20, 2017, at 6:00pm, Chief Bard will participate in a public "Meet the Finalist Forum" at the Main Public Library, 449 Broadway. The public will be invited to submit written feedback at the forum. Chief Bard will also participate in additional stakeholder interviews.
The City Manager is expected to make a final decision by early July after reviewing the public feedback and conducting reference checks.
About the Cambridge Police Department: With a budget of over $50 million, the Cambridge Police Department has 272 sworn police officers and 47 professional staff members. The Department is committed to providing residents and visitors with the highest level of professional police services while respecting the constitutional rights of all. The strength of the organization lies within its philosophy and method of operation, which combines community policing, problem-oriented policing, and collaboration with our community and city partners. Community engagement and outreach are focused on youth, homeless, seniors, and residents with mental health issues. Crime in Cambridge dropped for the sixth consecutive year in 2016, to record low levels not experienced since 1961.
About PERF: Founded in 1976 as a nonprofit organization, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is a police research and policy organization and a provider of management services, technical assistance, and executive-level education to support law enforcement agencies. PERF helps to improve the delivery of police services through the exercise of strong national leadership; public debate of police and criminal justice issues; and research and policy development.
Review panel participants: Ann Fleck-Henderson, City Manager Advisory Committee; Frank Pedro, City Manager Advisory Committee; Joshua A. Reyes, City Manager Advisory Committee; Rev. Eliis Washington, City Manager Advisory Committee; Lisa Thurau, Police Commissioner Advisory Board; Bishop Brian Greene, Police Chaplain; Lisa Peterson, Deputy City Manager; Ellen Semonoff, Asst. City Manager/Human Service Programs; Betsy Allen, Director/Equity and Inclusion; Andrea Brown, Chief Administrative Officer/Police; Brian Corr, Peace Commission/Police Review and Advisory Board; Louis DePasquale, City Manager; Christina Giacobbe, Director/ Emergency Communications; Lee Gianetti, Director/Communications and Community Relations; Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor; Sheila Keady Rawson, Personnel Director; Brent Larrabee, Interim Police Commissioner; Robert Wasserman, Advisor.
Former Police Commissioner Robert Haas and Acting Fire Chief Gerard Mahoney participated in interviews.
Branville Bard’s resume
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