Captain resigns, leaves four key police openings

Written by Ken Borsuk, Staff Reporter
kborsuk@greenwich-post.com

After 25 years with the Greenwich Police Department, Capt. Michael Pacewicz has put in his papers, with his last day expected to be this week.

No specifics have been released about Capt. Pacewicz’s decision, but he was expected to leave the department by Christmas. First Selectman Peter Tesei, who serves as police commissioner, said that in his first year in office he got to know Capt. Pacewicz and praised his service and commitment to public safety during more than two decades with the department.

Capt. Pacewicz told the Post Monday he didn’t want to discuss the decision except to say it was not because of the ongoing lawsuit by Lt. Gary Honulik against the department. Lt. Honulik filed suit after he claimed he was bypassed for promotion by then Chief of Police James Walters, who gave a captain’s position to Capt. Pacewicz even though Lt. Honulik claimed he scored higher on the test than Capt. Pacewicz did.

In brief comments to the Post, Capt. Pacewicz expressed great disappointment that his 25-year career had been boiled down to the lawsuit. A graduate of the FBI Academy for police officers, Capt. Pacewicz joined the Greenwich police force in 1983, moving up the ranks with promotions in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 2001 before being made captain in 2003. He was also once president of the Silver Shield Association, which serves as the town’s police union.

The lawsuit has left vacancies in all the top spots in the department now under the chief because the judge on the case issued a restraining order keeping any promotions from being made until the case is decided. Chief of Police David Ridberg was the lone promotion after Chief Walters left, but no other moves have been made. There are currently no deputy chiefs or captains in the department since no one has been allowed to move above the rank of lieutenant.

Mr. Tesei said he had talked with the town attorney’s office about the status of the case, which was expected to have been decided this past summer. He said he was eager for a resolution so the department can fill vital positions.

“It’s disappointing that this has dragged on so long,” Mr. Tesei said. “I know this has been a strain on Chief Ridberg because of all the work and for the whole department. I’d feel that way about any senior management official in the town without deputy staff under them, and it’s especially critical when you’re dealing with public safety.”

The case is now before the state Supreme Court after a 2007 Superior Court ruling was made in Lt. Honulik’s favor. The town appealed the decision, and it was heard before the state court in April.

Chief Ridberg could not be reached for comment.