Covington mayor gives choice for police chief

St. Tammany News

Richard Palmisano, 62, has 33 years experience

Covington Mayor Candace Watkins has tapped Richard Jon Palmisano, a former special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as her choice for police chief.

City Council members, who must approve the appointment, met with Palmisano Tuesday morning. A vote on his confirmation is expected to be held at next Tuesday's council meeting.

Palmisano, 62, is Mandeville resident and has 33 years of law enforcement experience, beginning as a patrolman in the New Orleans Police Department before becoming an air marshal in the U.S. Customs Office. He spent from 1972 to 2002 with the ATF, rising to the highest rank in the New Orleans field office.

Following mandatory retirement in 2002, Palmisano became the assistant director of the Louisiana State University National Center for Biomedical Research and Training Center, where he currently supervises law enforcement development and emergency responder training.

If approved as retired chief Jerry DiFranco's replacement, Palmisano will give two weeks notice to the agency before taking the Covington position. The Covington job pays $60,000 a year.

In a press release issued by the mayor's office Monday, the administration said Palmisano gained experience in a pro-active style of management supervising and conducting criminal investigations at the federal and state levels. His work included working with task-force operations and crime- scene investigation monitoring.

"The gentlemen who performed the background check states that Palmisano received an unusually high performance rating and all comments from individuals were positive on his history," Watkins said. "He's a cop with a terrific track record both on the street and in the office. He is a decorated leader who I believe will command the respect and dedication of our police officers."

Watkins went on to praise Palmisano's experience and professional connections with federal agencies for the support she seeks in finding a police chief to fight the narcotics problem in Covington.

"I believe the City of Covington will be very lucky to have him," Watkins said.

According to his resume, Palmisano worked in budget development and administration, prosecution of investigations involving explosives, arsons, firearm and narcotic crimes. He directed the Safe Home Task Force in the public housing developments in New Orleans; a multi-agent effort to deal with the rising murder rate in New Orleans' low-income housing developments by designating tactical plans and performed administrative duties as well as front line task force efforts.

After meeting with Palmisano Tuesday morning, Councilman Trey Blackall seemed impressed, but said he would have preferred it if the council had more candidates to consider.

Because of Palmisano's age, Blackall said he questioned Palmisano as to the number of years he would commit to the job.

"He told me he expects to retire in the position," Blackall said of his interview with Palmisano. "He seems very professional and qualified for the job."