Former Accountant, Teacher Become Police Officers

By Andrew Gorosko

Although they come from different employment backgrounds, two men have joined the Newtown Police Department with the common goal of local law enforcement.

Sworn into office as police officers in July 5 ceremonies at Town Hall South were Bart Lorancaitis, 23, of Watertown, and Scott Smith, 24, of Bridgewater. Assistant Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia officiated at the event attended by police, the recruits’ families, and friends.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal congratulated the two men on their becoming peace officers, saying the town expects good things to stem from their public service work.

Noting the thoroughness of the police selection process, Mr Rosenthal said the men should be proud of their selection for the posts. The police chief has high expectations for their work, Mr Rosenthal said.

“I’m sure you’ll both do very well. You have my congratulations,” the first selectman said.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said the two men proceeded through an arduous hiring process, adding that the process continues to become tougher as time passes. “These are the highest quality people we could hire,” he said.

The police chief said that Officer Lorancaitis is young, but is mature. A 2002 graduate of Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, he graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2006. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting, after which he went to work for PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Hartford. 

Chief Kehoe described Officer Lorancaitis as quiet, a team player, disciplined, dedicated, mature, and smart. The police department values independent thinkers such as Officer Lorancaitis, the police chief said.

Officer Lorancaitis said that law enforcement would translate into a better career for him than would accounting. Police work has a public service orientation, he said, adding that such an occupation would allow him to help people who are in distress.

Chief Kehoe said that Officer Smith formerly worked as a teaching intern at the Sandy Hook School. The Bridgewater native was a 2001 graduate of Shepaug Valley High School in Washington.

Officer Smith graduated from Millersville University in Millersville, Penn., where he received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He graduated magna cum laude.

Chief Kehoe said Officer Smith is resourceful, trustworthy, well-rounded, and level-headed.

Officer Smith said he enjoys working in a public environment, adding that he has a brother who is a police officer.

The two recruits started their police training at the Waterbury Police Academy on July 9.

The training will be difficult and challenging, Chief Kehoe said. It typically takes police officers about three to five years to become settled in their law enforcement roles, gaining confidence as they proceed, he said.

Police department members will aid the new officers as they gain experience in police work, he said. “We want you to succeed, because when you succeed, we succeed,” he added.

“Anything can happen on any given day,” the police chief said.

The two new recruits are the first officers that Newtown police have hired from a pool of candidates that was generated by a joint testing program sponsored by Newtown and Brookfield police. Written and physical tests were held on May 5. Until now, Newtown police have conducted their own testing program.

Potential employees are subject to medical examinations, psychological testing, polygraph tests, personal background checks and multiple job interviews. The lengthy police hiring process is designed to find the people who are best suited for police work.

Following police academy training and local field training, the two new police officers should be patrolling town independently by next March.