Corvello named new interim police chief in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH

City leaders introduced a new interim police chief Wednesday, and he's a familiar man - William Corvello, a retired State Police superintendent who served as interim chief here several years ago.

A few dozen department employees applauded warmly when Corvello was introduced at a news conference.

"We welcome him back," said Jim Swan, president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Portsmouth. "He's just a policeman's leader. He gets down in the trenches."

Corvello, 76, succeeds Chief Edward Long, whose sudden resignation was announced Tuesday evening. Long had been chief since September 2006.

The city manager's office initially said that Lt. Col. Harry "Skip" Fremd would be interim chief; city spokeswoman Monique Bass said Fremd was in charge only until Corvello could be sworn in.

City Manager Kenneth Chandler on Wednesday praised Long's character but declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Long's resignation, which was effective immediately.

"Considering that to be a

personnel matter, what I would say at this point is we did have a conversation yesterday, and the resulting end of that conversation was a resignation," Chandler said.

Long did not return messages left on his cell phone seeking comment.

The FOP passed a no-confidence vote on the chief in November, with members saying concerns included his handling of promotions, transfers and day-to-day operations.

Chandler said Wednesday that it's time for the department to address festering problems with equipment, morale and pay, and to look for direction. The city "tends to change chiefs quite often," he said.

A national search will begin soon to find a permanent chief, Chandler said. Input from all levels of the Police Department, the City Council and from residents will be sought, he said.

"This is an opportunity to look at leadership for a sense of direction in terms of where we're going with the Police Department," he said.

Corvello shook hands with old acquaintances and prepared to meet with officers and city officials. Asked about his plans for the department, he said, "I've been on board for about an hour, so I need a little more time."

After a stint in the Marines, Corvello became a state trooper in 1955 and spent part of his career in Portsmouth. He worked his way through the ranks and in 1990, then-Gov. L. Douglas Wilder appointed him State Police superintendent. He retired in 1992.

In 1994, he took the helm of a troubled police department in Newport News. When he later announced he was retiring, an outpouring of support convinced him to stay on longer.

In 2002 and 2003, Corvello served several months as interim chief in Portsmouth. During that time, police morale was at its highest point in the past decade, said Jason Knorowski, president of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association.

"He's a natural leader," Knorowski said. Corvello would remember officers' names after meeting them once, Knorow-ski said.

Corvello lives in James City County. He said he'll keep a residence in Portsmouth while he serves.

"I've got a special affinity for Portsmouth that goes back to when I was first here with State Police in 1958, and I came back again after transfers all over the state in later years," he said. "There's just something special about Portsmouth that engaged me, that I enjoy."

Matthew Roy, (757) 446-2540, matthew.roy@pilotonline.com