Neiswanger, 48, was a captain with the Manchester, Conn., police and replaces retired Chief Anthony Scott.
HOLYOKE – New Police Chief James M. Neiswanger said at a swearing-in ceremony Friday his focus now is getting to know city government, the schools and people in the community.
“My goal is to establish strong relationships and bring community policing to the forefront,” Neiswanger said.
Neiswanger, 48, who actually began the job July 19, took the oath of office from City Clerk Susan M. Egan at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitors Center.
Wearing a white uniform shirt and white gloves, Neiswanger upon finishing the oath received a standing ovation from a gathering of about 100.
He kept his remarks brief and included light moments.
His first task, he said, is assessing the department’s 120 uniformed personnel.
“I look forward to working side by side wtih the great men and women of the Holyoke Police Department,” said Neiswanger, who said he was “only 48.”
“I’m planning on having a long career here in Holyoke,” he said.
He signed a three-year contract July 19 that pays him $130,000 a year. He gets annual raises no less than those earned by other officers, under the contract.
The contract gives him 25 paid vacation days a year, the first of which he will be taking with a week off beginning Monday. Neiswanger later was asked to address criticism some people might have about the city’s new police chief already taking a vacation.
“I booked it this past spring. I had those plans before this job opportunity,” Neiswanger said.
In his remarks, he concluded by taking questions from the audience. Someone asked how to pronounce his last name.
“It’s ‘Nice-wonger,’” he said.
Neiswanger was a captain with the Manchester, Conn., Police Department, where he worked for the past 25 years and was born and raised.
The crowd included Neiswanger’s family and uniformed Holyoke officers, as well as officers in uniform from the Manchester department.
Manchester, Conn., Chief Marc P. Montminy attended as did another friend of Neiswanger’s, Vernon, Conn. Police Department Chief James L. Kenny.
City Council President Joseph M. McGiverin led the search committee that recommended Neiswanger as a finalist for the job to Mayor Elaine A. Pluta.
“There’s no doubt in my mind she chose the leader of the Police Department well into the future,” McGiverin said.
Also, he said, it was important to reference a topic that was both obvious and unaddressed. Neiswanger is replacing retired Police Chief Anthony R. Scott, who was popular in many quarters and a media character – “When he was born, they threw away the mold,” McGiverin said – but the city needs to understand Neiswanger is a new leader.
Pluta said what impressed her about Neiswanger was his philosophy of life that everyone wants to live in a better world.
“My choice was also based on the chief’s willingness to form partnerships with the community while being tough on crime,” Pluta said.
In his contract, pay raises for Neiswanger would be based on whatever yearly raises are paid to superior officers and patrol officers. Negotiations for new contracts are ongoing with those unions, so pay raises have yet to be determined, City Solicitor Lisa A. Ball said.
He also gets15 paid sick days a year and 11 paid legal holidays, including Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. and Patriot’s days.
He gets use of a city vehicle that may be used for personal reasons “since the Chief is ‘on-call’ in the event of an emergency,” the contract states, as well as a city-issued cell phone, laptop computer and service weapon.
The contract requires the city reimburse Neiswanger for tuition for one night college level course per semester at a college of his choice as he pursues a master’s degree, subject to approval of the mayor and subject to appropriation of city funds.
To the extent the city budget allows, Neiswanger will get $1,000 clothing allowance.
The items in Neiswanger’s contract are standard in Massachusetts police chief contracts, said Ball and Patrol Officer James J. Bartolomie, president of Local 388, International Brotherhood of Police Officers.