News-press.com/ Jan 2 2014
Bart Connelly no longer has “interim” in his job title.
Connelly is chief of the Cape Coral Police Department.
“Chief Connelly has earned the respect of his officers, civilian staff and the community, which is essential to be a successful leader of the Cape Coral Police Department,” said City Manager John Szerlag. “In this short time frame working with Chief Connelly, it became clear to me that we have the right person in charge of the organization.”
Connelly, who has been with the department since May 1988, had been serving in the lead role since Jay Murphy retired as chief in September. His salary will be $122,096.
He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Edison College, a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Barry University and a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.
Connelly is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Senior Leadership Program and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police. Connelly serves on the Florida Police Chiefs Association Training Committee and is a certified assessor/team leader for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
“Chief Connelly personifies the professionalism required to keep our Cape Coral Police Department moving in a positive direction,” Szerlag said.