Police Still Short on Staff Because of Training

Monday, July 10, 2006
By Jennifer Connic

New police officers (l-r) Craig Bergamo,
Sereniti Dobson and Ian Tauss show
off their badges after taking the oath
of office today.
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)
Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Police Department welcomed three new officers today to bring the department to its full staffing level, but over eight months of training means veteran officers will still be working extra shifts.

The department welcomed Craig Bergamo, 22, of Norwalk; Sereniti Dobson, 26, of Norwalk, and Ian Tauss, 43, of New York. The three new officers plus one hired last month will start training at the academy later this month.

Police Chief Al Fiore said the department has been down eight officers because of retirements.

“It’s been a difficult time, especially during this time of year,” he said. “It’s the end of the fiscal year, and everyone wants to use their vacation time.”

Fiore said the senior officers prefer to fill in with volunteers who elect to give overtime shifts, but it is not unusual for officers to be ordered to work overtime.

Officers spend about five months at the state’s police academy in Meriden, he said, and then spend another 400 hours in local training, which can take about 11 weeks.

The first two officers sent to the academy will graduate just before the new recruits start, Fiore said, and then they will start their local training.

The total process, he said, can take as little as eight months, but in reality it takes about 10 months.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said the recent hirings of new officers marks a lot of change in the Westport department.

“There are still many experienced officers,” he said, “and they will teach the new ones.”

Westport has one of the finest departments in the state if not the country, he said, and town officials take care of those who serve the community.

Posted 07/10 at 04:33 PM

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