Clinton- The Clinton Police Department bid farewell to retiring officer Corporal James Budkus and welcomed new officer Ansis Rutkis.
Budkus, who was employed by the Clinton police department for 25 years, may have retired from the department, but not from the working world--he has accepted a position with the fraud division of Hartford Insurance Company.
Serving first as a patrol officer, Budkus, since 1992, has served as the department's youth officer, a special assignment focusing on juvenile matters including sensitive sexual assault cases.
“He handled these cases with sensitivity and a high, high level of confidentiality,” said Chief of Police Joseph P. Faughnan.
Budkus also served as the department's liaison to the Juvenile Diversion Board, a group of local citizens who work with first-time juvenile offenders.
“This is the place a child goes to on his or her first offense,” said Faughnan. “It is a one-shot deal. Kids must agree to what the police report says and admit to what they did in front of the board. It is very, very effective.”
He was also the supervisor of the D.A.R.E. program and led the Special Olympics Torch Run.
Budkus, 48, will join his former colleague Major Jack Welch, who retired last November from the Clinton Police Department, at the insurance company.
“It is an outstanding position and opportunity for both of them,” said Faughnan.
The department has a new face and name in its ranks--Ansis Rutkis, 27, a native of Westbrook, who now resides in Clinton.
“Ansis is the first officer to be hired and go through the police academy since 1990,” said Faughnan. “Other officers who have been hired had worked in other towns or states prior to coming to Clinton.”
The police department hired Rutkis first, then sent him through the academy.
“We pay them [the students] for 34 weeks of training prior to being onboard,” Faughnan said.
Rutkis just completed a 22-week residential training at P.O.S.T., the Police Officers Standards and Training Academy in Meriden.
The program is intense and covers a multitude of subjects that a police officer needs to know, including the Connecticut criminal justice system, weapons and permits, courtroom testimony, photography, stress management, and handling crowds, to name just a few of the subjects.
He is now attending a 12-week Field Training Officers course.
“Upon successful completion, he will be a fully certified police officer in the state of Connecticut,” noted Faughnan.
Rutkis began an early police career when he served as a community service officer (CSO), a volunteer position.
“What is interesting is that Ansis has an identical twin brother, Robert, who is still a CSO,” said Faughnan. “When you run into them, you cannot tell them apart.”
The department welcomes the new officer.
“He is a fine young man,” added Faughnan. “We are very pleased to invite him into our ranks. People who meet him are very impressed.”