3 Officers Added To Help Fill NL Police Vacancies

By Izaskun E. Larraneta
Published on 7/21/2007 in The Day, Region News

New London— The police chief says his force is making great strides in filling vacant positions in the department, as three newly sworn officers started training Friday at the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Police Academy in Milford.

Kyle Gorra of New London, Joshua Malaro of Norwich and Justin Clachrie of Pawcatuck were sworn in Thursday. The probationary officers could not be reached for comment because they had already reported to the academy at a satellite facility at the Milford Police Department.

“We were fortunate to get them because other departments in the area were looking at them,” Police Chief Bruce Rinehart said. “We do a thorough background check on these people, psychological and polygraph testing. These three individuals really worked out well.”

Rinehart said the department requested five openings at The Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden but were only able to obtain two slots. Two officers will be sent there in August.

He said the training at the Milford site is “exactly the same” as what they would have received at the academy. The only difference is that the three officers will have to commute instead of live at the academy. The men will be in training for about five months.

In all, 11 New London officers are in the police academy.

Rinehart said great efforts have been made to recruit new officers, including a recent salary increase for patrol officers. Starting salary for a patrol officer is $44,545.

“The increase has been helpful. ... Now we can offer a more competitive salary,” he said.

In 2006, the city hired nine officers. Eleven have been hired so far this year.

The city, which recruits officers year-round, also advertises positions in papers throughout the state as well as job recruiting Web sites. The city also participates in the Law Enforcement Council, which provides recruitment and testing services. Positions are also posted at local colleges and a variety of local organizations and agencies.

“We believe we are moving in the right direction,” Rinehart said. “Things are rolling along. It's important to get these positions filled.”

The department is authorized to have 81 officers and will be allowed to hire six additional officers during the second half of the current fiscal year. There are five vacancies in the department — two patrol officers, two sergeants and one captain. That number may increase as people get promoted or retire, Rinehart said.

“In order to accomplish the mission of public safety, we need to put boots on the ground,” Rinehart said. “That is why we need the additional personnel.”

i.larraneta@theday.com

Justin Clachrie of Pawcatuck has his badge pinned on by his mother Heather Clachrie after he was sworn in as a new officer in the New London Police Department Thursday, July 19, 2007. Fellow new officers Kyle Gorra of New London, left, and Joshua Malaro of Plainfield, right, stand in the background. The 3 new probationary officers have been assigned to Milford Police Departmen, Connecticut POST Police Academy for basic recruit training commencing July 20, 2007.
By Dana Jensen