Why Wayman: A TFoTM Editorial Part I

Westfield Selects Police Chief......Why Wayman?     

David Wayman sworn in as Westfield Police Chief

     On February 10, 1988, David Wayman took an oath to protect and serve the residents of Westfield and was sworn in as a Westfield police recruit.  Twenty four years later, Wayman became Westfield's new police chief.  The old saying that it's not what you know, but who you know, can apply to Town Administrator Jim Gildea's questionable recommendation of David Wayman to the Westfield Town Council to succeed retired police chief John M. Parizeau.  Many have surmised that Wayman was running the department throughout Parizeau's tenure after Parizeau made it known that he was not interested in the job when Bernard Tracy abruptly retired in 2006 amidst allegations of corruption, misconduct, and an inappropriate relationship with a female detective.  
     When Tracy announced his retirement, and Parizeau opted back into the chief of police selection process, the testing for chief was opened to not only the two captains in the department, but also lieutenants.  

Former Police Chief John M. Parizeau

     At the time, Jim Gildea had indicated that town officials wanted to be sure they were thorough in their vetting of the candidates.  A survey titled "Police Chief Selection Survey" was handed out to police department personnel from Town Administrator Jim Gildea.  The first paragraph of the survey dated September 29, 2005 states, "I am asking for your input into the selection of the next Town of Westfield Police Chief by completing the attached survey."  "While I am not asking for you to sign your name to this survey, I am asking that you provide honest and forthright answers to these few questions and add whatever else you believe that I should know." The survey ends with the following advisement from Jim Gildea, "This is your time for input.  I hope you accept the opportunity."

     There are many within the Westfield Police Dept. that feel this survey was a part of a charade being orchestrated by Jim Gildea and retiring chief Bernard Tracy to cloak a tainted selection process in fairness, trust, and transparency while elevating the chosen one, Parizeau, to police chief.  Once Captain Parizeau was sworn in to the office of Westfield Police Chief, he was free to fill the void he created at captain by hand picking a Tracy protoge' that at the time held the rank of lieutenant.  Had any other candidate for police chief in 2005 been selected, Gildea and Tracy would not have had the control or influence over them, like they had over Parizeau, to manipulate the next promotion of a lieutenant to the rank of captain.  
     Parizeau had been named police chief over candidates that had held just about every position in the police department.  Parizeau had never supervised a police officer as he rose through the ranks from patrolman to captain.while being assigned to the department's records bureau.  That would not be the case with Wayman.
     David Wayman was promoted to the rank of sergeant after what Wayman described as, former Chief Scutti holding back his career.  Forget the fact that Wayman had anger management issues and had been accused of racial profiling as a police officer, even allowing his police issued handgun to be stolen in 1988 by locking it in the trunk of his car while patronizing an adult entertainment establishment as a recruit in the police academy.  Had Bernard Tracy not stepped in on Wayman's behalf after that blunder Wayman might still be working at a coin depot.  
     As a patrolman, Wayman excelled in "routine traffic stops."  He made the most of motor vehicle code violations as probable cause to stop cars along South Avenue and Central Avenue.  Primarily riding in a two man car in Westfield's District 3, Wayman routinely stopped cars for equipment violations such as a broken headlight  or tail light.  The occasional air freshener dangling from the rear view mirror was enough "probable cause" for him to stop a car in the hopes that the driver had a revoked license, was in possession of drugs, or under the influence of alcohol.  He didn't stop every car that passed by his police car as he sat in parking lots perpendicular to traffic along South Ave. with his patrol vehicle's high beam headlights activated in order to illuminate the vehicle's interior and occupant(s).  
     As an officer assigned to ride with Wayman in the early 90's, unbeknownst to me at the time, I would get my first taste of racial profiling from an officer assigned to "show me the ropes."

To be continued.........................