Police Patrol Officer Promoted To Sergeant

By Andrew Gorosko

After ten years of patrolling local roadways, among other assignments, Officer Philip T. Hynes, IV, has been promoted from the rank of police patrol officer to sergeant.

Following closed-door interviews with the three eligible candidates for the sergeancy, Police Commission members on May 3 unanimously approved Sgt Hynes’ promotion.

The sergeant’s vacancy occurred with the recent retirement of Henry Stormer from the police department. Mr Stormer remains a deputy town fire marshal, specializing in arson investigations.

In May 11 ceremonies at Town Hall South, Sgt Hynes was sworn into office for his new rank. Town Clerk Cynthia Simon administered the oath of office, as about 25 people looked on.

With his promotion, Sgt Hynes joins his father in that rank. Philip T. Hynes, III, is a sergeant at the Trumbull Police Department, where he has been an officer for 27 years.

The elder Mr Hynes pinned a sergeant’s badge on his son’s dress uniform at the ceremony, saying that it was a meaningful and proud moment for him.

Sgt Hynes, 34, joined the Newtown Police Department in May 1995. He has served as a patrol officer, the school resource officer for Newtown High School, and as the police department’s representative on the state police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force. He also is a police firearms instructor.

Sgt Hynes is now undergoing a two-week period of field training provided by other sergeants, during which he will learn the rudiments of sergeancy. The 43-member police department has seven sergeants.

In remarks at Sgt Hynes’ elevation to sergeant, Police Chief Michael Kehoe said that the new sergeant has accomplished much during his ten years as a police officer. Sgt Hynes has worked hard during the past decade, the police chief said.

Chief Kehoe described Sgt Hynes as a passionate and enthusiastic person, who will face new challenges, duties, and responsibilities as a sergeant. The police chief said Sgt Hynes is level-headed, analytical, well-regarded by his peers, and possesses a “command presence.”

“We wish you the best in the rest of your career,” Chief Kehoe said.

“You’ll continue to do a fine job. You’ve made us all very proud,” said Police Commission Chairman Carol Mattegat.

“I’m extremely excited about my new position. Thanks very much,” said Sgt Hynes to those assembled in the Town Hall South conference room.

“I just want to be a good sergeant,” he said.

A 1989 Newtown High School graduate, Sgt Hynes, grew up in Newtown.

Asked about his personal interests, Sgt Hynes, said, “I’m a fisher and a hunter. When I have some free time, those are two pastimes that I enjoy.”

Sgt Hynes is married and has two children.