Badges Issued—

Two New Policemen Sworn Into Office

By Andrew Gorosko

In ceremonies this week at Town Hall South, Town Clerk Cynthia Simon swore into office two town police recruits who will attend the state’s Municipal Police Academy for the next five months to learn the rudiments of law enforcement.

Taking their oaths of office were Kenneth Jacovino, 28, of Hamden, and Douglass Poole, 23, of Milford.

The hirings bring to 43 the number of sworn police officers working at the police department, whose full complement is 44 people.

In remarks at the ceremony, Police Chief Michael Kehoe said that Officer Jacovino was born in Waterbury in 1977 and graduated from that city’s Crosby High School with the Class of 1996. Officer Jacovino was member of the US Army National Guard until 2004, Chief Kehoe said.

The recruit has worked as a correction officer with the state Department of Correction (DOC) with posts held at the Hartford County jail and at a prison in Cheshire.

Chief Kehoe termed Officer Jacovino “a great choice” for the town’s police department, noting that he scored well in competitive testing for the position.

Officer Jacovino said he views law enforcement as an honorable profession and will seek out positive interaction with residents in a small-town environment such as Newtown.

Having worked as a correction officer for seven years has been an education, Officer Jacovino said, explaining that having such an occupation results in a person growing up fast.

Through a career in law enforcement, he seeks to provide public service for those in need, he said.

He said he expects law enforcement to be a career which offers diverse activities.

An exercise and fitness buff, Officer Jacovino said he enjoys playing team sports such as basketball and softball. He said he hopes to obtain a college degree.

Chief Kehoe said Officer Poole was born in New Haven in 1982, after which he grew up in nearby Milford, becoming a graduate of Jonathan Law High School in 2000.

Officer Poole holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. The bachelor’s is in justice and law administration; the master’s is in justice administration.

Officer Poole has worked a computer laboratory assistant at college. He is an Eagle Scout and has long practiced the martial arts. Officer Poole has had a longtime desire to become a police officer, Chief Kehoe said.

The police chief described him as articulate, quiet, and hardworking.

Officer Poole said he looks forward to practicing community policing while serving as a peace officer in Newtown. “I’m ready for a new challenge,” he said.

Officer Poole explained that he worked intensively at college in obtaining two degrees by age 23.

He said he enjoys practicing the martial arts, in which he has been involved since age 10.

Officer Poole holds black belt standing in shaolin kempo. He also practices two forms of kung fu and two forms of jiu-jitsu. He also enjoys weightlifting as a sport.

After returning from police academy training this fall, the two officers would embark on a course of field training, after which they would patrol the town independently. Sergeant John Cole will be their field training supervisor.

Police patrol officers serve a one-year probationary period, during which their performance is closely monitored to ensure that they meet police department standards.