Two new officers join Greenwich police
Part of many changes for department

By Colin Gustafson
Greenwich Time Staff Writer
Posted: 08/10/2009 07:45:30 PM EDT

Two new officers join Greenwich police - Greenwich Time - Topix

Newly minted Police Officer Lisa Ruiz receives flowers from her parents, Marie and Vincent La Russo, after ceremonies in Town Hall on Monday. (Helen Neafsey/Staff photo)	Christian Rosario is sworn in by First Selectman Peter Tesei. (Helen Neafsey/Staff photo)

Police received two additions to the force Monday morning when officers Lisa Ruiz and Christian Rosario were sworn in during a ceremony at Town Hall.

Ruiz, 37, of Harrison, N.Y., and Rosario, 32, of the Bronx, N.Y., took oaths administered by First Selectman Peter Tesei before members of their families and officers from the Police Department.

Tesei said their arrival to the force comes as the department is turning a new corner, both with the recent settlement of lawsuits and its upcoming relocation into a new state-of-the-art headquarters.

"You're coming at the best possible time for the Police Department," Tesei said.

After taking the oath, Rosario said he was inspired to become a police officer while growing up near Yankee Stadium and seeing New York police trying to make a difference in his neighborhood.

"I think they saw a need in the community for change, and I saw that actually helping," said Rosario, a graduate of the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics.

He attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he took courses in business management for two years before moving to SUNY Farmingdale to study electrical engineering for two years. Prior to becoming an officer, he worked as a contracts clerk for a company handling government, state and private contract requests.

"We're ecstatic," said his sister, Michelle Rosario, 30. "This is what he's wanted to do -- give back to the community. We're very proud of him."

Ruiz, a graduate of Harrison High School, holds an associate's degree in math and science from Westchester Community College, as well as a bachelor's degree in science/kinesiology from San Francisco State University.

For Ruiz, Greenwich is also familiar territory.

"I have friends who grew up in Greenwich. Even though I didn't grow up here, it's always been a home away from home," said Ruiz, who worked as a branch relationship banker for HSBC Bank in Rye, N.Y.

Added her mother, Marie LaRusso: "She's going to make a fine officer. She's good at everything she does."

Prospective police candidates must take a physical agility test before applying for an open position. Candidates then take a written exam, and the highest scorers are selected to go through interviews, background checks and mental health evaluations.

Once selected, officers must complete a 23-week training session at the state police academy in Meriden, and complete a 12-week training program in Greenwich before being assigned to a patrol.

Staff Writer Colin Gustafson can be reached at colin.gustafson@scni.com or 203-625-4428.