Crime & Safety

Trumbull, Shelton to Get New Police Officers

Meet Shelton's and Trumbull's newest police rookies.

The new officers graduated among the 341st class from the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). The class of 50 police officers represent 29 departments from across the state, recently completed their 23-week training program.

Shelton's officer is Matthew Mauri, who started in September, said Shelton Lt. Robert Kozlowsky.

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Trumbull's new hires from the class are Jason Lusniak, 25, and Jean Ruiz, 26, said Deputy Chief Michael Harry.

"After graduation, all probationary officers must complete a three-month Field Training program within the Trumbull Police Department," Harry said. "Officers Lusniak and Ruiz will be 'road ready' at the end of the year."

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Two other officers, Robert Pysz, 23, and James Sota, 31, were hired Jan. 2, and graduated the Police Academy on Aug. 13, Harry added.

A graduation ceremony was held at Central Connecticut State University’s Welte Auditorium in New Britain on Sept. 11.

Meanwhile, Trumbull Police Chief Thomas Kiely said recently that the department now has 78 officers but has 12 officers that have "maxed out" their pensions and 12 additional officers with the potential to retire.

He added that he wants to try hiring officers who are currently working because they do not have to go through the Police Academy again, saving $1,500 per person. But they would still have to take the written and agility tests.

Certified officers need two months to be road-ready, rather than 18 months. 

Departments who have gone to 401k's are losing officers who want to have pensions. Stratford police recently lost nine officers and Orange police had "quite a turnover," Kiely said.

The Graduating Class 

The class roster consists of police officers representing police departments in Guilford, Willimantic, Wallingford, East Hartford, Old Saybrook, Norwich, Stamford, Hartford, West Hartford, Groton City, Norwalk, East Haven, Yale University, Wethersfield, Coventry, Plainfield, Canton, University of Connecticut, Brookfield, Trumbull, Southern Conn. State University, Southington, Shelton, Bristol, UConn Health Center, New Britain, Bloomfield, Orange, Mashantucket Pequot and Danbury.

According to POST, the recruits have been undergoing intensive daily training at the Connecticut Police Academy, focusing on: 

  • Connecticut Penal Code, Laws of Arrest, Search and Seizure, Motor Vehicle Law, Constitutional Law, Juvenile Procedures, Domestic Violence
  • Medical Response Technician, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Handcuffing
  • Criminal Investigation, Interview and Interrogation, Suspect Identification, Crime Scene Response, Conflict Management.
  • Several days of practical skills training such as Accident Investigation, Directing Traffic and Responding to various scenarios.


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