Two New Officers Join Police Department

By Andrew Gorosko

Wednesday marked a numerical milestone at the police department, as the town issued police badges to the 100th and 101st officers who have worked for the town since the police department was organized in 1971.

In ceremonies at the police station, Police Chief Michael Kehoe issued Badge #100 to Aileen Murphy, 24, of New Fairfield, and presented Badge #101 to Steven Siecienski, 22, of Danbury.

Chief Kehoe made the presentations following the recruits’ taking their oaths of office administered by Assistant Town Clerk Ann Benore.

The hiring of Officer Murphy and Officer Siecienski brings to 46 members the police department roster, whose full complement is 47 sworn personnel.

In comments before the family and friends of the new officers, plus town police staffers, First Selectman Joe Borst welcomed the duo to town service.

“We’re pleased to have two new recruits on board…I’d like to welcome you to Newtown…Newtown’s a great place to live…You are the representatives of the town…It’s important to remember that the people of Newtown are your best customers…Enjoy your stay with us…I hope you’re here for a long time,” Mr Borst said.

Police Commission Chairman Carol Mattegat congratulated both recruits on their hiring.

“You have joined one of the finest [police] departments in the State of Connecticut,” she said.

 Chief Kehoe told Officer Murphy and Officer Siecienski that the police department is the most visible sign of the local government in the community.

Ms Murphy attended the University of Connecticut, graduating in 2005 from Western Connecticut State University with summa cum laude honors. She received a bachelor’s degree. Her studies focused on criminal justice, law administration, criminology, and history. Before being hired by the town police, Ms Murphy worked at Canterbury School and New Milford Hospital.

Chief Kehoe described Ms Murphy as an articulate and intelligent person who possesses the correct combination of personal skills required to be a police officer.

In remarks, Ms Murphy thanked the people she has encountered at the police department for being friendly and helpful as she makes the transition to a law enforcement career.

Mr Siecienski received a bachelor’s degree in business management from the Ancell School of Business at Western Connecticut State University. Mr Siecienski has worked at Ability Beyond Disability and also at Agway in Danbury.

Chief Kehoe described Mr Siecienski as bright, hardworking, engaging, and trustworthy. Police will work to help him succeed in his law enforcement duties, the police chief said.

In remarks, Mr Siecienski said, “I thank everybody for their support.”

Officers Murphy and Siecienski will soon begin their course of studies at the police academy, where they will learn the rudiments of law enforcement. After returning from the police academy late this year, they would enter a field training program, after which they would patrol independently.