Ribbon cutting for police headquarters draws crowd

Written by Kerry Weber, Staff Reporter
Thursday, 27 August 2009

The new police headquarters in front of which these officers stand is scheduled to be fully operational by Nov. 1. — Kerry Weber photo

The town's longest retired Police Officer Michael F. Cofone cut the ribbon with the assistance of First Selectman Peter Tesei. — Kerry Weber photo

Town Police Chief David C. Ridberg remembers 22 years ago when the Greenwich Police Department was so desperate for rooms in which police reports could be written that several officers drew up a plan to create new spaces within the old headquarters building. They even offered to execute it themselves.

“The answer was, ‘Don’t bother, you’ll be getting a new headquarters soon,’” Mr. Ridberg recalled. He smiled. “And here we are.”

Active and retired police officers, current and former town officials, and the general public gathered Monday to celebrate the completion of the police department headquarters located in the town’s Public Safety Complex on Bruce Place. More than 150 people gathered for the celebration, which included a flag ceremony by the department honor guard, blessings by police chaplains, and a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by Officer Kristen Lindstrom.

Although the headquarters was a long time coming, in the end, the construction of the headquarters was completed ahead of schedule and within budget, First Selectman and Police Commissioner Peter Tesei told the crowd.

“Some things are just worth waiting for,” he said.

Mr. Tesei called the day “historic” and credited the successful completion of the project to the collective efforts of many town departments and committees, as well as the Greenwich taxpayers. He said the new facility will help “serve a critical need that a municipal government must provide.”

Mr. Ridberg said the department still must move technical equipment and personnel to the new building, but he expects the facilities will be fully operational by Nov. 1.

The town’s oldest retired police officer, Michael F. Cofone, 88, cut the ribbon in front of the glass doors of the complex, accompanied by Mr. Tesei.

“The ceremony was something outstanding,” Mr. Cofone told thePost. “It was great to see all the retirees and the people that came out.”

Eugene J. Moye, 87, the town’s longest-retired police officer, also was scheduled to assist Mr. Cofone, but was unable to attend the ceremony due to health problems, according to Mr. Ridberg.

Cooperation between town departments and individual contractors was vital to the efficient completion of the project said Alan Monelli, superintendent of building, construction and maintenance for the Department of Public Works.

“This particular project seemed to bring everybody together,” he said.

Ernest D’Inverno, father of town police officer John D’Inverno, attended the ceremony with his wife Lina, daughter-in-law Concetta, and grandsons Michael and John Paul.

“It was a beautiful ceremony and it was an honor to be here,” he told the Post.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ridberg expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the construction of the headquarters, but said the focus of the celebration should go beyond the building itself.

“It’s not about the movers and shakers who made the building,” Mr. Ridberg said. “It’s about the men and women, the sworn officers, retired and active, that make up the Greenwich Police Department.”

Then, he gestured to the building. “Welcome to our new home.”