Three New Police Join The Force

By Andrew Gorosko

In ceremonies on April 8, the town swore into office three new police patrol officers, bringing to 45 the number of police in town service.

The three recruits took their oaths of office from Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia at the event held at Town Hall South, where a reception followed attended by family, friends, town officials, and police officers.

Sworn into office were Matthew Pirhala, Paula Wickman, and Joseph Michael.

Lieutenant Christopher Vanghele, who served as master of ceremonies, told the new police officers, “It’s a very difficult job.”

First Selectman Pat Llodra said she loyally supports the police department in its work. Mrs Llodra said that the hiring selections made by the Police Commission were good choices.

State Representative Christopher Lyddy told the new officers that they are the town’s “face” in the community.

“I get to pass the laws. You get to enforce them,” he noted. “I think it will be a great partnership,” he added.

Police Commission Chairman Duane Giannini said that the three new officers were thoroughly vetted during the hiring process. “The three officers you see here today are the best of the best,” he said.

The police hiring process started on January 15 when about 190 people took a written test for the post of police patrol officer. The top scorers in the written tests participated in oral interviews and physical agility tests.

Remaining job candidates were subjected to background examinations, a polygraph test, a psychological evaluation, and a medical evaluation.

 Successive rounds of testing reduced the pool of candidates, resulting in the commission selecting the three recruits on March 23.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe told the three new police officers he hopes that they have long, significant careers in the field of law enforcement in which their actions “make a difference” for the public.

Chief Kehoe pointed out that while working they will operate in highly recognizable roles in the community.

The police chief introduced each of the three recruits to those at the ceremonies, describing their personal backgrounds and wishing them well in their future careers. He presented the officers with their police badges.

The new staffers will spend the next five months in law enforcement training at the Connecticut Municipal Police Academy, after which they will return to Newtown for four months of field training, before patrolling independently.

Officer Pirhala, 23, has been married to his wife, Jessica, for about six months. He was born and raised in Southbury. A 2005 graduate of Pomperaug High School in Southbury, he graduated in 2009 from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury where he received a bachelor’s degree in justice and law administration. Officer Pirhala recently was employed as a sales manager for Stockbridge & Berry Home Furnishings in Monroe.

Officer Wickman, 23, was born and raised in Newtown. She is a 2005 graduate of Newtown High School and a 2009 graduate of Western Connecticut State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in justice and law administration and also in business administration.

Officer Wickman has an extensive emergency services background and history of volunteer service. She has worked as the assistant chief of Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue (NUSAR), as an assistant instructor for Applied Rescue Technique, LLC, of Sandy Hook, as a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) for the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and as a canine handler for Connecticut Canine Search & Rescue.

Officer Michael, 29, was born and raised in Danbury. He graduated from Danbury High School and also from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting. He most recently was employed as an accountant with Carter’s Retail, Inc, in Shelton.

Since last July, four police officers have left the police department — Lieutenant James Mooney, Sergeant Domenic Costello, Officer Andrew Stinson, and Officer Dana Schubert.

With the hiring of the three new officers, one police vacancy remains.