A New Haven public defender will be stepping into an interim role as inspector general for Hartford’s Civilian Police Review Board, a new role tasked with investigating police use of force among other duties.
Beth Merkin will serve as the interim inspector general while Mayor Luke Bronin, civilian review board Chair Eric Crawford and City Council President Maly D. Rosado continue to search for a permanent inspector general to oversee and act as a neutral review to police department internal investigations.
“The appointment of our first Inspector General is a significant decision, and I strongly believe we need to consider more candidates to find the right individual,” Crawford said, in a written statement Thursday.