Veteran Cop Takes Reins of Galveston Police

GALVESTON – Galveston Police Lt. Henry Porretto, a 21 year veteran of the Galveston Police Department and current West Isle Community Commander, has been appointed acting Chief of Police, replacing retiring chief Charles Wiley who leaves office today.  
   Porretto has held many leadership positions throughout his career with the department.  He also holds a masters degree in strategic leadership.
  Wiley announced his plans to retire from the department on April 29 following the termination of former City Manager Steve LeBlanc.  Under his leadership the Galveston Police Department was reorganized and implemented CAMSTAT, a community-oriented policing program.  Wiley also led the department through Hurricane Ike and the Island’s recovery.
  City officials have been actively searching for Wiley’s replacement and narrowed the original list of 55 applicants to just three candidates.  A finalist has not been announced or ratified by the Galveston City Council.
  Ironically, Porretto was promoted from Lt. to Captain by Wiley then demoted back to Lt. after the two disagreed on some fundamentals of policing and the direction Wiley was taking the department.
  That was in March 2009 and Wiley told The Police News at that time, "We are in the process of making some organizational changes," said Chief Wiley.  "And there will be more in the future.
  "I have nothing against Lt. Porretto," said Chief Wiley.  "He is a good man and has a strong committment to this department.  We just have basic differences in policy and procedures," Wiley told The Police News.
  Wiley has been beset with problems throughout most of his tenure as chief.  He was bucked by the police officers association on many ocassions and in one instance they filed a lawsuit against him.  Last year 97 percent of the officers in the department cast a 'no confidence' vote against him and it has not been pleasant since.
  Porretto brings 'street cop' to the highest rank of the department.  He holds more degrees, and formal training hours of any officer on the department and overall, he is respected by the officers who will serve under his leadership.
  "The guys are breathing a collective sigh of relief with the appointment of Henry," one veteran officer told The Police News today.  "They know they have a person they can trust and will have their backs," he said.