http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nivakoff6nov16,0,368116.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
By Natasha Lee and Matthew Malone
Staff Writers
November 16, 2005
STAMFORD -- Lt. Robert Nivakoff, a 33-year police veteran, was named assistant chief of the Stamford Police Department Monday after a vote by the police commission.
"I feel energized by it and excited about it," Nivakoff said.
A five-member panel of police and community leaders chose Nivakoff over eight other internal candidates. The panel included Elizabeth Watson, a former police chief in Houston and Austin, Texas; Robert Wasserman, an international police consultant; and William Callion, Stamford's director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare.
Candidates had to present a strategic plan for how they would police the city for the next 10 years.
Nivakoff's presentation and his law enforcement experience distinguished him from the other candidates, Police Chief Brent Larrabee said.
"I think he did a terrific job and he will be a terrific asset to the police department in his new role," Larrabee said.
The promotion is expected to become effective the second week in December, pending contract approval by the Board of Representatives, Nivakoff said.
Nivakoff, a 54-year-old Fairfield resident, will earn about $100,000 as one of three assistant chiefs. He replaces Frank Lagan, who retired in August after 30 years in the department.
The two other assistant chiefs are 28-year veteran Richard Priolo, who is head of administration, and John Geter, a 32-year veteran who oversees the youth bureau and family services.
Nivakoff said his duties as assistant chief are being defined, but he will oversee the patrol division, which has about 200 officers.
Nivakoff most recently was district commander of downtown. He has served in every division of the Stamford department, and spent eight years with the New York City Port Authority.
Nivakoff, a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the University of New Haven, has a master's degree in criminal justice.
Copyright © 2005, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.