Police Commission Promotes

Bahamonde To Sergeant

By Andrew Gorosko

Aaron Bahamonde, who has worked as a police patrolman since February 1993, has joined the supervisory staff of the town police department, becoming the organization’s seventh sergeant.

Police Commission members recently named Mr Bahamonde to the new post from a field of three candidates. Such promotions are based on the judgment of the Police Commission, plus written and oral exams.

The addition of a sixth patrol sergeant position is seen a way to improve the police department’s continuity and field operations, according to Police Chief Michael Kehoe. Until now, the department has operated with five patrol sergeants and one detective sergeant.

The three officers who were in competition for the new sergeant’s post are all highly qualified, motivated, and dedicated individuals, Chief Kehoe said.

Chief Kehoe described Sgt Bahamonde as “highly intelligent” and “very dedicated to his work.” “I think he has the skills and abilities to be a fine supervisor,” the police chief said.

With the addition of the new sergeant’s post, there will be a revised sergeants’ work schedule, which will improve police department continuity and establish a clearer chain of command, the chief said.

Of law enforcement, Sgt Bahamonde said, “I really enjoy my job and was looking to new challenges” in seeking the supervisory post.

“I feel I have a good working relationship with my co-workers and I look to continue that,” he said.

During his tenure as a patrolman, Sgt Bahamonde, 32, served for six years as a field training officer for police recruits. He served a stint as the local law enforcement representative on the state police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force. He also has worked as a motor vehicle accident reconstructionist in analyzing the dynamics of major accidents.

In his decade of patrol work, Sgt Bahamonde has worked all three police patrol shifts, finding the shift that runs from 4 pm to midnight to be the most interesting one because of the variety of situations that it presents.

During his initiation into sergeancy, he has sequentially worked the three work shifts to learn the operational and administrative duties required during those time periods.

“Right now, I’m focusing on being a good role model and leader for the officers I supervise,” Sgt Bahamonde said. “I’d like to do the best job that I can possibly do,” he said.

“There are a lot of hardworking taxpayers in our town that expect the best from our police department. And I’m going to give them the best,” he said.

The police department’s patrol officers are highly trained, Sgt Bahamonde noted. A sergeant’s supervision ensures that various details are addressed, and that police work is accomplished in a timely manner, he said.

Of police work, Sgt Bahamonde said he especially enjoys helping people solve their problems, whether they be simple or complex.

A graduate of Masuk High School in Monroe, Sgt Bahamonde worked as an emergency medical technician with Bridgeport Ambulance before becoming a Newtown police officer. 

Sgt Bahamonde lives in Monroe with his wife and two children. Being a father is a time-consuming proposition, he explains, adding that he spends as much time as possible with his family.