GALVESTON - The new police chief in Galveston wasted no time getting his house in order Thursday. Interim Chief Henry Porretto, as one of his first official acts, reinstated demoted Lt. Michael Gray to his former rank and sent him back to the Patrol Division. Lt. Gray will be assigned to the West Galveston Island District, the area formerly commanded by Porretto and ironically the area which includes the neighborhood in which outgoing chief Charles Wiley resides.
Gray was demoted by Wiley and it's no secret the two have been arch rivals. When Lt. Gray was in charge of Internal Affairs, he opened a criminal investigation of Wiley. That enraged Wiley who promptly busted Gray and transfered him to the salt mines under the direct command of his two fisted enforcer, Capt. Jeff Heyes. Life was miserable thereafter for Gray.
But now the tables have turned. Porretto, himself a victim of Wiley's rath in 2009, is sitting in Wiley's chair and Wiley is out. The rank and file are now taking bets on what happens to Wiley's favorite sons who helped make life miserable for much of the rank-and-file.
Porretto also promoted officer Andre Mitchell to Sgt. to fill a position that has remained vacant for some time. There has been no word on where he will be assigned. Mitchell has been working patrol.
A quick pole of officers both in the uniformed services and detectives, indicate a majority are happy with todays developments and the assignment of Porretto to the top job. Most express confidence in his leadership ability and more importantly they say he can be trusted. "He's not a bully," said one officer, "he's been one of us and he knows what we're all about. He knows he was appointed, not annointed," was the comment of another seasoned officer.
Porretto will serve as chief until a new permanent chief is appointed by the City Manager and approved by city council.
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