Police Chief To Retire In Fall [Update]

Update: 5 p.m.

Police Chief David Ridberg said the opportunity to do consulting work on a part-time basis which will allow him to spend more time with his family is the reason why he has decided to retire Oct. 31.

He said Tuesday that "there is less of a chance of a conflict of interest if I am not the Chief of Police." Ridberg added, "I've been public figure for a long time with its share of ups and downs, whether it the P.D., or my salary. (I will) not be a public figure - it's just me going off into the sunset ... singing 'Happy Trails.' I would like to have some privacy now."

The 49-year-old Ridberg did say his of new career, "The consulting work would be with corporate and municipal clients throughout the region and involves a variety of disciplines." 

What he is looking forward to the most is spending time with his wife and two daughters. "Just the physical time spent time away from home, attending night meetings when I didn’t have anyone to delegate them to. During my first three years (as chief) 2007 to 2010 were difficult in terms of time away from the family."

Ridberg, who grew up in Greenwich and now lives in Stamford, said he also plans to visit relatives including his parents John 'Rudy' and Evelyn Ridberg who have retired to Florida.

"I am on the board of the United Way and have wanted to commit more hours to different charities ... now I will have the time.," Ridberg said. "I will have to sit down and look at (volunteer opportunities) in a thorough sort of way. I don't want to be over-committed and defeat the purpose of retiring."

Ridberg was reticent to discuss accomplishments in his career that began in 1984. "I am uncomfortable talking about what’s my biggest accomplishment, what am I most proud of … I’m proud of the 200 people in the agency from the patrolmen, civilians, the special police. They’re the ones doing all the work and I’m glad the one thing I did was givng them the atmosphere they could thrive in and do their best work."

He added, "Frankly, they were doing the most of the work."

Original story:

Greenwich Police Chief David Ridberg has given notice that he will retire Oct. 31.

First Selectman Peter Tesei said, "October 31st was the original date he wanted to retire but had agreed to stay until March. But I am not entirely surprised. You have to respect people's personal decisions."

In an interview with Greenwich Patch last month, Ridberg said he planned to stay until next year but he has been receiving offers for private consulting work. Tesei said that the 49-year-old Ridberg "expressed his desire to accept consulting work and wants to be in a position to relocate out of state. So we will deal with the circumstances."

Ridberg said last month that the decision to finalize a retirement date has been made easier now that he has an upper management command staff and a succession plan in place. In late June, James Heavey was promoted from the rank of captain to deputy chief.

Historically, the deputy chief is named police chief. Ridberg joined the force in 1984, rose through the ranks to deputy chief in May 2007. That was followed by his appointment as acting chief and then chief a few months later.

Ridberg said that now he has an upper command structure which includes three captains and a deputy chief, he would feel comfortable leaving the department. His work to fill department vacancies will move a step forward when Tesei holds a ceremony Aug. 8, swearing in two more officers.

Tesei said Ridberg originally planned to remain as chief for three years and then retire when he reached the maximum pension level for years of service. "He was enticed to remain with economic incentives," Tesei said.

Those incentives with an annual salary of $180,000, were tied to the fact that Ridberg did not have an upper management staff because of lawsuits filed during his predecessor's tenure. There were three lawsuits filed against the town and former chief James Walters over promotion procedures. Those lawsuits prevented any promotions so when Ridberg became chief, the highest ranking officers reporting to him were lieutenants.

Tesei said the financial incentives were tied to the fact that Ridberg had to not only lead the department but also perform duties that would have been done by captains and a deputy chief. Ridberg was finally able to promote officers to captain in 2010 and the deputy chief in June.

Ridberg's efforts to reorganize the department and bring stability to its management was recognized by the Greenwich Lions Club earlier this year when it named him the recipient of the prestigious Dr. John Clarke Award that acknowledges outstanding work by a town police officer. It was the first time the award was given to a Greenwich police chief.

A message seeking comment from Ridberg was not returned.