http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-darien5jan06,0,1668372.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
By Eve Sullivan
Staff Writer
January 6, 2005
DARIEN -- A Darien police captain with 23 years on the job will take over the helm as police chief in March.
Capt. Duane Lovello, 45, a Stamford native, was appointed to the position Monday night at a Darien Police Commission meeting. He will succeed Police Chief Hugh McManus, who is retiring at the end of next month.
"I'm really excited about it," Lovello said yesterday. "I think it's going to be a great opportunity."
Lovello was among four candidates from inside the department, including Capt. Fred Komm. The commission did not consider anyone from outside the department.
"The commission is extremely pleased that after interviewing four strong candidates, all from within the department, that once again, we have been able to fill the position of chief of police from within the ranks," Commission Chairman Douglas Campbell said on behalf of the three-member board.
"Duane Lovello has served the department with distinction for 23 years. He has the experience, the leadership skills, the educational background and the vision to become an exceptional chief of police."
Lovello said his plans include building a better relationship with the youth in the community and developing ideas with input from the rest of the department.
"There are a lot of good people here with a lot of good ideas that will sit down and identify priorities and a plan of action to accomplish things," Lovello said.
Lovello joined the Darien Police Department as a patrolman in 1981 and has risen through the ranks. He was appointed sergeant in 1993 and lieutenant in 2000.
His promotion to captain was also in 2000; later in the year he assumed his current duties as line captain. Lovello served in the patrol division and the detective bureau and was in charge of the department's underwater recovery team.
Lovello is a graduate of Stamford High School and received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven and a juris doctor degree from the University of Connecticut. He also is a 2003 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
Lovello is married to the Gayle Twardy, whose family members are longtime Darien residents. He has two sons, 6 and 9, and lives in Trumbull.
Outside the job, Lovello said he coaches Little League in Trumbull and is a veteran Stamford firefighter who volunteers for the Glenbrook Fire Department. He was president of the Glenbrook department.
The commission expressed its gratitude to McManus for his 12 years of "exemplary performance" as chief and for all he has done for Darien in his 38-year career in the department.
"In our opinion, the strong and steady leadership of Chief McManus has helped make the Darien Police Department the absolute best," the statement said. "We wish him well in his retirement."
McManus said the police commission had a "difficult decision" when selecting his replacement.
"They made a great decision," McManus said of Lovello. "I know he's thrilled and he will do a good job. He's certainly deserving of it."
While on the force, McManus said Lovello worked in nearly every position.
"He's got all the good qualities of a good chief of police," McManus said. "Above all, I think a chief has to be a good leader and he's demonstrated that time and time again."
Leaving the department will be "bittersweet," McManus said. He said he is pleased to have had the opportunity to be chief for 12 years and is happy to turn the office over to someone he expects to do an outstanding job.
"I'm very happy for Duane Lovello and the department as well," McManus said. "It's just a progression."
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