New mayor, new police chief in new year

As the yellowed leaves blew off the trees in Forman Park Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll spoke to the gathering of dozens of police officers, prosecutors and politicians. They were there joining the family of Officer Wallie Howard who was killed in the line of duty on this day 19 years ago.  This was a day for leaders in the present to remember the past, and the leaders of tomorrow to look toward the future.

Just behind Mayor Driscoll’s right shoulder Syracuse Police Chief Gary Miguel stood in his dress blues, the brass sparkling off his uniform.  When this day is marked next year neither man will be in the same place.  In fact, by the end of this year two of the most visible leaders in the city will be moving on to the next phase of their lives and careers.

Mayor Driscoll’s service to the city is term limited by law. His appointee as police chief is only limited by the winds of politics and his own desire to move on after more than 35 years on the job. Anyone who rises to the level of chief of police knows it is a terminal position within the department. Once you are the chief you don’t go back to patrol. It is your capstone achievement.

Gary Miguel has carried a badge over parts of four decades where he witnessed the escalation of what was considered a routine violent altercation.  Arguments that were once settled with fist fights now are resolved with gun fights. Miguel has served along side some of the same colleagues for his entire run on the job. He has worked the streets. He has worked undercover. He has been in command on several levels spending countless hours on the job regardless of the time of day or the time of the year. He has done it working to make the community better.

His departure will leave a vacuum. The successor to Mayor Driscoll will fill it. Just as they might have if the chief did not decide to step away on his own terms. While the mayor and chief reflected today candidates like Stephanie Miner and Steve Kimatian mixed with the assembled crowd. The police union is hedging its best on being treated well by the next mayor by endorsing the one they consider the favorite – Miner.

It is possible somewhere in the mix of officers stood the next police chief too. Deputy Chief Frank Fowler was hand picked by Chief Miguel to deliver remarks to remember this occasion today.  Other names were tossed about in quiet conversations that all ended with the same result. No one yet knows who the next leader of the department will be. The first step is up to the voters to select the next leader of the city.

As they say in the U.K. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen (or King). The same applies in Syracuse. This year the mayor and police chief are the most visible leaders in Syracuse.  Next year -  the faces will change, but again the mayor and the police chief will be the most visible leaders in the city.

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