Police Detective Transfers To Patrol Unit

By Andrew Gorosko

At the request of Detective Michael McGowan, Police Commission members have approved his transfer from the detective unit to the patrol division as of January 1, 2008.

Det McGowan, who has been a police department member since 2000, was promoted from the position of patrol officer to the rank of detective by the commission in November 2006.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said Det McGowan requested the transfer back to the patrol division for personal reasons.

Det McGowan headed the police department’s lengthy, complex racketeering investigation into the activities of the now-defunct Newtown Oil Company. That case, which resulted in 12 felony charges against each of the firm’s two former owners, is now pending in Danbury Superior Court.

“It really surprised me,” said Police Commission Chairman Carol Mattegat of Det McGowan’s request for a transfer.

Chief Kehoe pointed out, “He can be a valuable asset in patrol,” adding that Det McGowan has done outstanding work while serving as a detective.

Ms Mattegat suggested that the commission would welcome Det McGowan back into the detective unit in the future, if circumstances should change for him.

Chief Kehoe said that until a current staffing shortage at the police department is resolved, he will delay filling the detective’s vacancy to be created by Det McGowan’s transfer to the patrol unit.

Before that detective’s vacancy would be filled, competitive written tests would be given to candidates for the post of detective.

If it should become necessary, an officer could be assigned to the post of acting detective, Chief Kehoe said.

“He’s been a terrific detective. He’ll be sorely missed,” Chief Kehoe said of Det McGowan’s job transfer.

Det McGowan grew up in Newtown, having graduated from Newtown High School in 1991. He attended the University of New Haven, where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and law enforcement science.