The following letters of commendation were reviewed at the Nov. 20, 2018 Police Commission meeting. They were presented by New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski.
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Town Clerk Claudia Weber swears in Office Clinton Jarvis to the New Canaan Police Department on April 28, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan
Officer Clinton Jarvis
“Officer Jarvis, Thank you for much for your help tonight getting the van that was accidentally locked with the keys inside. Your speedy professionalism and assistance was very much appreciated and although this was a minor issue you represented the department well!”
—David & Carolyn Lewis
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Sgt. Brian Mitchell and Officer David Payne
New Canaan Police Sgt. Brian Mitchell
“Sgt. Mitchell and Officer Payne, I would like to commend your success in this year’s Web-based CALEA assessment on behalf of the department. Once again, you have guided this department through a thorough examination of our policies and procedures. You both diligently worked to prepare for the assessment process for the entire year, spending numerous officer hours on this project, the result was success.
“The CALEA program advocates that some benefits of accreditation include: Greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, strong defense against civil lawsuits, staunch support from government officials, and increased community advocacy. These are the types of outcomes that professional police agencies strive for in their move toward a more transparent and accountable system of management. We consider the New Canaan Police Department to be just such an agency.
New Canaan Police Officer David Payne.
“It is in no small part due to your work that we have passed another assessment in a seamless process. I thank you both for your organization persistence in maintaining this program. I look forward to working with you both on the preparation for the upcoming on-site assessment this summer.”
—Capt. Andrew Walsh
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Lt. Marc DeFelice
“Lt. DeFelice, this is a letter of commendation to credit your performance in regards to the newly developed Supervisory Training that was conducted Oct. 4, 2018. From the start, as you have told me, you have envisioned the department hosting a supervisory training for new acting sergeants. You presented the idea in the course of your lieutenant’s promotional interview, and then to my office soon after. You continually checked in with me, presenting valid ideas for topics as we developed the training curriculum along with Lt. [Jason] Ferraro and Sgt. [Brian] Mitchell.
Lt. Marc DeFelice of the New Canaan Police Department (a sergeant at the time) chats with locals during NCPD’s debut “Coffee With a Cop” gathering, Sept. 7, 2016 at Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee. Credit: Michael Dinan
“During the planning process, you meticulously researched old memorandums and documents that are still pertinent as to our current operational procedures. You painstakingly organized these materials, plus materials provided by the various presenters, into one large fluid document that can be utilized by all supervisory personnel as a go-by document for most administrative supervisory responsibilities. You then taught several important blocks of instruction during the training.
“Your diligence in this project will undoubtedly make these new supervisors more effective in their day-to-day duties. They have now been taught key components of our operational procedures in a hands-on manner, along with physical references, that will enhance their shift’s efficiency. Great work lieutenant!”
—Capt. Andrew Walsh
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Officer Ron Bentley
New Canaan Police Officer Ron Bentley. Credit: Michael Dinan
“Your presence in town and your efforts toward coordinating events such as the monthly Coffee With A Cop were instrumental in continuing and improving upon the relationships between the business owners and our agency.
“In addition to your [Community Impact Officer] duties, you assisted the shifts on many occasions with medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, suspicious persons and many other calls for service as well as conducted your own targeted enforcement in the center of town to combat distracted driving and reckless motorists.
“During your tenure as CIO (June 2016-August 2018) you handled 1,347 total CFS: community liaison 621 times, conducted 69 motor vehicle stops, investigated 72 motor vehicle accidents, handled 111 service/assist calls, set up for SE on 149 occasions, handled 75 traffic complaints.
“Since the inception fo the CIO program, the efforts of our department have been well received by the citizens of the New Canaan community and the business owners. While you were assigned to the CIO position, you did a great job of continuing the pace set by your predecessor while also raising the bar for your successor to ensure a long and successful CIO program.
“For your efforts and accomplishments, I felt you should be formally recognized with this letter of commendation.”
—Sgt. Joseph Farenga