New Hire Brings Police Department Up To Full Complement

By Andrew Gorosko

With family and friends looking on, Colin J. Richter, 23, took the oath of office as a Newtown police officer in August 5 ceremonies at Town Hall South, bringing the police department up to its full complement of 43 officers.

Mr Richter was sworn into office by Town Clerk Cynthia Simon, as police Chief Michael Kehoe and Mr Richter’s mother stood by.

Scattered camera flashes from the audience recorded the event, which was held in the building’s conference room.

A composed Mr Richter, wearing a diagonally striped orange, gray. and black tie, calmly recited the oath, which was followed by audience applause and congratulations. A reception followed.

Mr Richter, who was born and raised in Bridgeport, finished first in the rankings among the dozens of candidates who took various tests recently to become a Newtown police officer. Approximately 75 people took an initial written examination for the police officer post in April.

The tall, red-haired Mr Richter, who is a Fairfield resident, said it has been his lifelong dream to become a police officer. He said he would like to be a police detective in the future.

Law enforcement is the type of work that can provide job satisfaction, he said. Mr Richter has worked as  a private security guard.

Mr Richter said he looks forward to the prospect of working as a police officer in a relatively small police department such as Newtown’s.

A 1999 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Mr Richter has nearly completed the course requirements to receive a bachelor’s degree in International Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

Having received his basic police orientation in Newtown, Mr Richter now heads to the Connecticut Municipal Police Academy in Meriden, where he will study law enforcement. Graduation is scheduled for next January 3.

After returning from the academy, Mr Richter would work on patrol shifts accompanied by field training officers for 16 weeks, after which he would patrol on his own.

Police patrol officers serve a one-year probationary period, during which their performance is closely monitored to ensure they meet police department standards.

The current starting pay for the patrol officer position is $40,298 annually, plus fringe benefits.

Police officer candidates are subject to medical examinations, psychological testing, polygraph tests, and personal background checks. The lengthy police hiring process is designed to find the people who are best suited for police work.