Former Assistant Chief James K. Fennell, the first Black officer appointed to senior command rank at the Hartford Police Department, has died at his home in Hartford.
He was 97 years old.
Fennell, who rose through the ranks after joining the department as a patrol officer in 1957, was promoted to assistant chief by former Police Chief Bernard Sullivan in 1987.
“I knew him when he was a detective in the 1980s,” said current Hartford Chief James C. Rovella. “He was a perfect gentleman and a real good cop on top of it. And a good leader. “
Fennell was born in North Carolina and grew up in New York, before marrying and moving to Hartford in the 1950s.
When he joined the Hartford department, there were fewer than a dozen minority officers among a department of about 400.
Former Assistant Chief James K. Fennell, the first Black officer appointed to senior command rank at the Hartford Police department, has died at his home in Hartford. He was 97 years old. (Courtesy)
In 1962, he was a founding member of what became the Hartford Guardians, a group of Hartford police officers committed to equality in and out of the department and in building relationships across the city.
In its early years, the Guardians organized for improved working conditions that included salary, equipment, greater manpower, fostering better relationships between the community and the police, and access to advancement opportunities within the department.
Among other things, the group succeeded in changing the city’s promotional exam system by requiring the city to provide notice of personnel exams and to publish a list of study materials. The result was an expansion of promotions of Black police officers.
Between 1957 to 1989, Fennell moved through the department ranks as patrolman, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. In June of 1987, he was promoted to the rank of assistant chief of police and became the first African American to serve in that position
He retired in 1989 and became a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
Fennell attended the University of Hartford and the police management program at the Babson School of Management in Wellesley, Mass.
He leaves behind his daughter Victoria. He was predeceased by his eldest daughter Denise and wife Daisy.
A Celebration of Life event is planned in late Spring and the Howard K. Hill Funeral Service will have details at its website (www.hkhfuneralservices.com).
