To the Editor:

Please let this letter serve as an endorsement for Phillip Cruz for the Newtown Police Commission. I’ve known Phil for many years since moving to Newtown. Phil has been a friend, neighbor, teacher to both of my children, and a role model.

If I listed the top qualities for a police commissioner, they would be someone who is smart, ethical, professional, fair, experienced, empathetic, genuine, and a good leader, just to name a few. I would be satisfied if we had a candidate with half of these qualities, but the amazing thing about Phil is that he embodies all of these qualities.

Phil has years of public and private experience in the military, business world, and education, which give him a unique perspective and the skills to both support our police department and represent Newtown.

Police commissioner is a challenging role because you have to balance supervisory and relationship roles in the day-to-day police force and also be a conduit for the public to the department. I couldn’t think of someone more well-suited for this role than Phil Cruz, whether it be his innovative thinking in education or past supervisory roles in business or drawing on his experience as a veteran of our armed forces.

One of Phil’s greatest qualities is his sense of fairness. Regardless of where you may be coming from, he’s always balanced in terms of his perspective to understand and empathize with whomever his audience is. In today’s day and age, this is critical, not only for being an effective leader but for being someone who can represent all of us in Newtown.

We’re lucky, as people like Phil don’t always step up for public office — let’s not let this opportunity pass. Please join me in endorsing, and voting for, a great candidate for police commissioner in Philip Cruz!

Michael J. Sepp

Newtown