Connecticut Public Safety Commissioner Retiring in February

Connecticut Public Safety Commissioner Reuben Bradford will retire in February after three years of leading the agency that oversees state police, emergency management and homeland security.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday that Bradford will step down Feb. 1 as commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. No reason was given for Bradford’s departure.

Officials didn’t announce Bradford’s successor.

Bradford became commissioner in early 2011 after leading security efforts for the National Football League for 15 years. Before working for the NFL, he had a 22-year career with Connecticut state police.

Malloy praised Bradford for improving what was formerly known as the Department of Public Safety. But the state police union voted no confidence in Bradford last year and criticized his consolidation of state police dispatch operations.