Trying to keep pace with police retirements, Mayor Joe Ganim announced on Friday a new class of 32 police recruits will start training on March 1. The department has been hampered by retirements and other officers leaving for more attractive offers from the suburbs.
Ganim and Police Chief Joe Gaudett also this week promoted 18 police officers.
“These outstanding officers represent the highest level of professionalism and put their lives on the line to keep Bridgeport residents safe day in and day out,” said Ganim. “I am very proud to promote our officers to higher rank. You have earned all the accolades, and your hard work has paid off. You truly are Bridgeport’s finest!”
Gaudett said, “I really would like to thank Mayor Ganim for authorizing these promotions to our fine officers and for the commitment to growing the size of the police department. Everyone being promoted this week deserves hearty congratulations!”
The officers promoted this week are:
Promoted to the Rank of Captain:
Lieutenant Brian Fitzgerald
Lieutenant Mark Straubel
Lieutenant Steven Lougal
Lieutenant Rebeca Garcia
Promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant:
Sergeant John Gale
Sergeant Thomas Minar
Sergeant Nancy O’Donnell
Sergeant Vincent Ingrassia\
Promoted to the Rank of Sergeant:
Detective John Burke
Officer Christine Burns
Officer Joaquim DeBarros
Officer James Ivanko
Promoted to the Rank of Detective:
Officer Jeremy Kelly
Officer Everton Walker
Officer Albert Palatiello
Officer Theodore Montagna
Officer Barbara Gonzalez
Officer Kenneth Fortes
With proper accounting of Police Department spending for all operating expenses including past and future pension liabilities, the Department looks like it will top $100 Million this year. That’s 35% of the non-BOE City budget all by itself. How many police officers are full time, non-disabled, fully paid and available for duty at the moment? By the time they complete the formal training starting on March 1, how many will be ready for the months of seasoning and mentoring to bring them to “street ready?” And what number of officers will we have at that time? What is the big plan looking out five years, and what is the expense of getting there? Time will tell.
Good to see Joe Ganim standing side-by-side with Chief Gaudett, they could make a good team together.
We keep hearing a large number of officers left BPD for other departments. Just how many left in the last year? How many retired in the last year?