PITTSFIELD — Acting Chief Michael Wynn plans to formally ascend to the ranks of chief on Friday, exactly 10 years since he first took the reins of the department.
Mayor Linda Tyer recently selected Wynn for the formal designation after a civil service assessment center found Wynn at the top of a list of three internal candidates. Because this particular mayoral appointment is also considered a department head, it will require a formal vote of approval from the City Council, which is scheduled for Tuesday's meeting.
Assuming councilors vote in favor, Wynn said he'll mark his 10-year anniversary with an official swearing-in ceremony.
"We've had a 10-year period of uncertainty and instability, and this will put a stop to that," Wynn said.
Tyer said the move also marks a shift in policy for the city. Previous mayoral administrations, she said, have been reluctant to permanently appoint chiefs through the civil service program. She said it's important for the stability of the department and for the city to see an enduring title that matches the role.
"There has been a difference of opinion between mayoral administrations on whether or not the chief should receive a permanent appointment," Tyer said. "It's vital for the chief of police to be properly authorized in the eyes of the officers — right from patrolmen up through command staff."
Tyer said Chief Wynn's appointment is an important step toward modernizing the department and growing its ranks.
"The city of Pittsfield is fortunate to have someone of his caliber leading our law enforcement agency," she said.
Wynn has served the Pittsfield Police Department since October 1995. He was promoted to captain in 2007, shortly before then-Chief Anthony Riello gave four weeks' notice and left for another position in Falmouth. Upon his departure, Wynn said former mayor James Ruberto appointed him the department's leader, giving him the working title of "acting captain in charge."
After working under that title for one year, Wynn said, city leaders gave him the title of "acting chief." That was in January 2009.
The Civil Service Commission rejected an appeal from Tyer in December 2016 to appoint Wynn as permanent chief. The appeal was based on Wynn's civil service exam results from 2009, and the commission ruled those test results were valid only through 2012.
Tyer said this time the city opted for a civil process that went beyond the written exam — an oral one based on real-life scenarios — which was completed on Sept. 27.
"We're just happy it's beyond us," Wynn said. "We're looking forward to moving on."
Wynn's salary for the current fiscal year is budgeted at $115,000.
Acting Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski has also led his department under a provisional title for seven years, he said. Czerwinski said Monday he's not aware of any effort to change that.
Reach Amanda Drane at adrane@berkshireeagle.com, @amandadrane on Twitter or at 413-496-6296.
