NEW HAVEN POLICE PROMOTES A COMBINED 21 TO THE RANKS OF CAPTAIN AND LIEUTENANT

(1/8/2008) NEW HAVEN- In a ceremony at City Hall today, Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and the New Haven Police Department promoted 5 Lieutenants to the rank of Captain and 16 Sergeants to the rank of Lieutenant. The newly promoted Captains and Lieutenants will soon undergo training and will receive their respective assignments from Chief Francisco Ortiz. Today’s promotions are the first for these ranks since 2000.

“We have a lot of work to do in the next several years,” said Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. in his address to the new Captains and Lieutenants. “I expect each of you to rise to this challenge. Leadership does not just come from the rank – it comes from attitude, temperament and commitment. I expect and know that you are up to this job.”

The department promoted seven new sergeants in December and is preparing for a detective promotional list to be certified later this month. “Today’s promotions are part of a significant commitment to the personnel strength of this department,” said DeStefano. “We’re looking forward to starting a class of 45 new recruits in the Police Academy in April and a second class in the spring of 2009 as we continue to strengthen this evolving department.”

The new Captains are: Robert Lanza, Patrick Redding, Peter Reichard, Joann Peterson and Denise Blanchard. The new Lieutenants are: Ariel Melendez, Bernard Somers, Jr., Kevin Costin, Petisia Adger, Kenny Howell, Sydney Collier, Lisa Dadio, John Velleca, Roger Young, Jeff Hoffman, Holly Wasilewski, Rebecca Sweeney-Burns, Martin Tchakirides, Joseph Witkowski, Luiz Casanova and Anthony Duff.

[END]

Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660