Date: Fri 24-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-new-officers

Full Text:

Two New Officers Join The Police

(with photo)

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Two new officers have joined the Newtown Department of Police Services,

bringing the department up to a full complement of 39 sworn officers.

With Police Captain Michael Kehoe and First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal

looking on, Town Clerk Cynthia Curtis Simon swore into office Maryhelen

McCarthy and Michael Edis. The family and friends of both new officers

participated in the ceremonies at the roll call room in the police station

Monday morning.

After a week of orientation at the police department, Ms McCarthy and Mr Edis

were scheduled to begin an intensive 20-week Municipal Police Academy training

course in Meriden on Friday. Following that training, they will receive a

16-week field training program in Newtown.

Captain Kehoe said the process through which the Police Commission selected

the two new officers was a lengthy one involving thorough checks into their

qualifications. Ms McCarthy and Mr Edis are the two best qualified people

among the many candidates considered for the posts, the captain said.

Ms McCarthy, 37, of Fairfield, who is single, has a bachelor's degree in

history and education, and a masters degree in education. She graduated from

Sacred Heart University and the University of Bridgeport.

She formerly taught at a private elementary school in Darien. She has coached

volleyball at Sacred Heart University and softball at the University of

Bridgeport.

One of six children, Ms McCarthy said she is looking forward to a career in

law enforcement, a field which is "people-oriented."

Mr Edis, 25, who is single, currently lives in Miller Place on Long Island. He

plans to move to the area soon.

A graduate of CW Post College in Brookfield, NY, he has a bachelor's degree in

criminal justice.

Mr Edis formerly worked for the ferry service which links Port Jefferson, NY,

to Bridgeport. Mr Edis, who is involved in body building and the martial arts,

said of law enforcement, "It was something I always wanted to do."

With the hiring of the two new officers, the police department is at its full

staffing level of officers for the first time in recent memory.