33 recruits finish Police Academy

AARON LEO aleo@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 12/21/2007 11:18:29 PM EST

BRIDGEPORT — Michael J. Dos Santos used to be a banker, and Kenneth C. Fortes and Bobby G. Jones used to be firefighters.

But they and 30 others traded in those jobs to police the city and surrounding towns. After 24 weeks of boot-camp-style training in the city's Police Academy, they took an oath to protect and serve in a City Hall ceremony Friday night.

The class is the city's 32nd, and 28 rookies will serve in Bridgeport. The last class graduated in December 2002.

"It's been a dream of mine. I felt it was the time to do it," said Dos Santos, who also earned the Chief Luciano award for highest academic achievement. He was the class speaker.

Everyone came in as strangers, he said in his speech.

The class had "33 individuals with 33 different jobs. Now we came to be a single unit doing a single job," he said.

The grueling training course included exercises where they experienced what they would sometimes have to inflict.

"I would be remiss if I didn't say how much fun we had being Tasered and pepper-sprayed," he joked.

The cadets will continue to learn under field training officers with monthly performance reviews.

"This is when we begin to make a positive impact," he said.

He ended with a quote from President Theodore Roosevelt.

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing," he said.

After taking an oath, family members and loved ones pinned badges on the rookies. They bring the Police Department's roster to 424 officers, said Lt. James Viadero, department spokesman.

Serving in Bridgeport will be: Cristina Arroyo, William Arroyo, Mark Blackwell, Robert W. Bruno, Michael Cantrell, Alfred Cesar Jr., Ivan G. Delgado, Julio C. Diez, Nicole Donowa, Dos Santos, Arnetha Eaddy, Fortes, Juan Hernandez Jr., James Ivanko, Jones, Jeremy Kelly, Stacey A. Lyons, Sarah E. Nestlen, Trevor Niestemski, Nancy E. O'Donnell, Carla F. Remele, Kateema C. Riettie, Angel Rodriguez Jr., Michael R. Sigrist, Carlos M. Vazquez, Ramon Velazquez, Juan Villafane and Martin P. Vinzce.

Matthew Nardi will serve in Greenwich; James J. Palmieri Jr. and Edmond G. Vayan Jr. in Monroe; Shoubert Paulemon in Norwalk and Christopher McManus in Redding.

The class marks many firsts. It was the first for Chief Bryan T. Norwood, who took office in April 2006; and for Mayor Bill Finch, who took office Dec. 1.

Finch gave a nod to his predecessor, John M. Fabrizi, who attended the ceremony.

"This a labor of love that Mayor Fabrizi has undertaken," Finch said.

He credited Fabrizi with finding the money for new officers and the building to temporarily house the city Police Academy.

Norwood, the city's youngest chief, put himself in the rookies' shoes.

"I think back to January of 1989 when I sat in the same seat," he said. Norwood started in New Haven and rose in a relatively quick 17 years to assistant chief before coming to Bridgeport.

"I think about how excited and nervous I was. I thank God for you. I thank God for your commitment. I thank God for your dedication," he said.

Some of the rookies already had city officers in the family. Remele's parents are Sgt. James Remele and Lt. Aida Remele. Blackwell has a brother in the department, Sgt. Lonnie Blackwell.

Others had very supportive friends.

Michelle Rivera rushed through the City Hall parking lot, down the hallway and into the Council Chambers to see two friends of the family, rookies Rodriguez and Hernandez.

"My babies are graduating," she said.

After the ceremony, Finch said he and Norwood were discussing the feasibility of starting another cadet class, but that it would be based on the city budget. The Fire Department started training a new class of 29 rookies less than a month after graduating a class of 16 in November.

Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.

Graduate Mark Blackwell stands at attention during the 32nd Basic Training Seesion Graduating Ceremony at Bridgeport City Hall on Friday night. (Christian Abraham/Connecticut Post)

Graduate Matthew Nardy, right, recieves his certificate from Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood, during the 32nd Basic Training Seesion Graduating Ceremony at Bridgeport City Hall on Friday night. (Christian Abraham/Connecticut Post)

James Remele helps pin on his daughter Carla's badge, during the 32nd Basic Training Seesion Graduating Ceremony at Bridgeport City Hall on Friday night. (Christian Abraham/Connecticut Post)