By Eve Sullivan
Staff Writer
July 6, 2005
STAMFORD -- If members of the Stamford Police Department can't tell the difference between recruit Rhett Connelly and his twin brother Officer Michael Connelly, Rhett won't mind.
"We're identical twins," Connelly said. "I'm used to it. It's happened my whole life."
Connelly was among 20 new recruits sworn in by Mayor Dannel Malloy yesterday at a noon ceremony at police headquarters. He and his brother will be the first set of twins on the force in 25 years.
The Stamford native and former Norwalk firefighter decided to apply for the position after hearing about the experiences of his brother, who has been an officer for four years and works the overnightshift.
"He's so active out there," Rhett Connelly said.
Another recruit, Ramesh Brace, will join her husband, Officer Leo Brace, a 15-year veteran of the force who patrols the West Side.
Ramesh Brace said becoming an officer was something she always wanted to do, even before she met her husband, but was putting it off to raise their three children.
"It's something I think I'm going to be proud of," Brace said.
Brace is one of five women, including former police dispatcher Adriana Molina, who are in the class of recruits. There are also several minorities and bilingual recruits.
Malloy told the newcomers they have the opportunity to join what he considers one of Connecticut's greatest police departments. He told them that Stamford officers have made this one of the safest cities in the country.
It's going to be their job to protect the city, which has added housing, jobs and office space, and has 45,000 people coming to work in it each day, Malloy said. The city also is rich in diversity, he said.
"All kinds of people make Stamford their home," Malloy said. "It adds to the flavor of the city."
This diversity can be seen among the recruits, the mayor said.
Police Chief Brent Larrabee told the group it takes humor, compassion and common sense to be a good police officer. "You've gotta have a sense of humor in this job," Larrabee said. "If you don't, get out."
The chief then told recruits it was the most important day of their careers, before they stood up, raised their right hands and were sworn in.
The recruits will attend the Stamford Police Academy, which recently moved to 34 Beldon St., for 28 weeks and then perform 12 weeks of field training. Officials say this will bring the police department to 302 officers.
The 17 other recruits are: Erick Soderholm, Kelly Bennett, Frambiel Rodriguez, Douglas Deiso, Gregory Zach, Ryan Pitoniak, Steven Stromberg, Jerry Kulpa, Troy Judge, Michael Presti, William McMahon, Anna Zajac, William Mercado, Nicole Petrenko, Ramon Gipson, Brian McKay and Stephen Lopez.
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