Chief Updates Panel On

Police Training

By Andrew Gorosko

Police Chief Michael Kehoe this week updated Police Commission members on police department operations, describing the status of officer training and deployment.

Police Patrol Officer Larissa Nosal has completed her course of field training and is now patrolling the town independently, Chief Kehoe said.

Ms Nosal, 31, joined the police department last January, after which she studied at the Connecticut Municipal Police Academy in Meriden and then took local field training.

“We have all the faith and confidence” in Ms Nosal’s abilities, Chief Kehoe said.

Ms Nosal joined the department along with recruit Matt Chesser, 32. Well into his field training, Mr Chesser opted to resign from the police department, creating a vacancy in the organization.

Three other officers whom the Police Commission has hired are still studying law enforcement at the police academy.

They are Kenneth Jacovino, 28; Douglass Poole, 23, and Todd Dingee, 35.

Officers Jacovino and Poole are scheduled to graduate from the academy on October 23, after which they will embark on local field training accompanied by training officers.

Officer Dingee is scheduled to graduate from the academy in December.

The police department is starting another round of testing as part of its hiring process for new patrol officers.

People who pass a written test are required to take a physical fitness test. Physical testing includes a 1.5-mile run, sit-ups, sit-and-reach exercises, and push-ups.

People who have been convicted of a felony or convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor are not eligible to apply for the post of police officer. Potential employees are subject to medical examinations, psychological testing, polygraph tests, and personal background checks. The lengthy police hiring process is designed to find people who are best suited for police work.

The organization has 42 sworn officers, with a current authorization of up to 44 officers on staff. On January 1, 2007, that authorization will increase to 45 officers.

The Police Commission appoints, promotes, suspends, and removes members of the police department.