Police Commission Announces Promotions

By Andrew Gorosko

Following consideration during closed session on November 22, Police Commission members promoted two longstanding police officers to higher rank as part of an ongoing reorganization of the police department.

Police Commission members named Patrol Sergeant Richard Robinson to the rank of lieutenant, and also named Patrol Officer Steven Santucci to the post of patrol sergeant. The promotions will take effect on January 1.

Robinson, 43, has been a member of the police department for more than 13 years, having joined the organization in October 1998. The commission had promoted Robinson to the post of patrol sergeant in October 2006.

Santucci, 35, has spent the last 11 years as a patrolman, having joined the department in November 2000.

In September, the Police Commission unanimously endorsed a departmental reorganization plan, which increases the number of police lieutenant positions from two to three, and also decreases the number of sergeant positions from eight to seven. The planned changes will shift the supervision of the detective division from a sergeant to a lieutenant. The police department has 46 sworn officers.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe will determine which of the three lieutenants will be named to the three different lieutenant job assignments. The other lieutenants are George Sinko and Christopher Vanghele.

Police Captain Joe Rios said November 23 that there were two candidates for the post of lieutenant and three candidates for the job of sergeant. The Police Commission conducted interviews with all candidates on November 22 before deciding on the promotions. Also, the results of written tests are used in making promotions.

“All candidates were excellent candidates and it’s unfortunate that we can only select one lieutenant and one sergeant,” Capt Rios said.

In a description of the need for organizational changes, Chief Kehoe has said that, “Clearer lines of communication will develop from the [restructuring], along with the critical decisions being made at the command level. This will have a positive effect on the entire organization by equipping its leaders with the required authority to carry out the mission of the organization.”

Robinson has a bachelor’s degree in justice and law administration from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. In 2005, Robinson received first place academic standing in an examination conducted by the Fairfield County Detective School. He is completing work on a master’s degree in criminal justice.

Robinson currently is assigned as a patrol supervisor for the police department’s evening shift, supervising the day-to-day activities and investigations of the patrol officers under his command.

Santucci currently serves as field training officer, instructing new officers about police work. He has served in that role since 2006. He graduated from the Fairfield County Detective School in 2005. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in science.