‘A Fitting Tribute’: Letters of Appreciation for New Canaan Police

Police Chief Leon Krolikowski shared the following letters of appreciation and commendation at the Feb. 19 Police Commission meeting.

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Officers Michael O’Sullivan and Thomas Swindon

“This letter of commendation is in recognition of your actions at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Due to a language barrier with the caller, details were not readily available. Upon arriving on scene both of you remained calm and collected, quickly assessed the scene and began to provide mutual aid. You worked together to provide as much assistance as possible until EMS arrived. Multiple personnel at the scene, and the family of the victim remarked at how well you performed under what can only be described as challenging conditions. You should know your actions reassured the family members present everything possible was being done. You are both to be commended for the professionalism and composure you maintained during this difficult call.”

—Sgt. Scott Romano (Feb. 6)

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Officer Thomas Patten

“I just wanted to take a minute to fill you in on two very helpful things that Officer [Thomas] Patten has done for the organization this year in the Property Division: 1. We just concluded a meeting in which we are changing our property tracking and numbering systems. Tom brought up some very valid points about property numbering per case which is more efficient. This new system he proposed will also make property storage more organized as well by default. 2. Tom also found our department a Powered Cell Phone Containment system that we have in Property to properly store confiscated cell phones and reliably store their evidence. He is also drafting revisions to our policy as a result. It is great to have such a seasoned officer bringing dynamic ideas to the department that increase our organizational efficiency and effectiveness.”

—Capt. Andrew Walsh (Dec. 17)

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Sgt. Joseph Farenga, New Canaan Police Department motorcycle officers

“On behalf of the Norwalk Police Department as well as the family of Officer Cesar Ramirez, I want to personally thank you for allowing your motorcycle officers to participate in the funeral service on Tuesday January 28th. Their participation was extremely well received and was a fitting tribute to Officer Ramirez. I know that his family and friends as well as my officers are all very appreciative. Please pass along my thanks to Sgt. Joseph Farenga.”

—Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik (Feb. 5)

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Officer Matthew Marzano 

“Please accept my sincere thanks and this Memorandum of Commendation for all your hard work in creating an exercise space for our department on the third floor. A significant amount of time and research went into creating the space and making it welcoming for all fitness levels. Your hard work and self-initiated efforts did not go unnoticed. You are a valued member of our organization and once gain thank you for your efforts.”

—Chief Leon Krolikowski (Jan. 16)

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Sgt. Brian Mitchell and Sgt. David Payne

“The New Canaan Police Department is one of just three law enforcement agencies in Fairfield county that is nationally accredited by CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. CALEA accreditation is the gold standard for public safety agencies and represents a commitment to excellence. During the summer of 2019, the New Canaan Police Department was evaluated by CALEA, the premier credentialing association for public safety agencies and was awarded national accreditation for the ninth time. The process included a vigorous online review of 174 CALEA standards with which our agency must adhere to, followed by an intensive on-site based review by two CALEA commissioners. In addition to that, in the three years leading up to this assessment, CALEA reviewed over 250 other standards for compliance. As the two members of the Accreditation and Professional Standards Division during this time period, Sgt. Brian Mitchell and Sgt. David Payne proved themselves to be extremely valuable assets for this department. The two sergeants worked diligently for long hours helping the Commander of Staff Services, the Deputy Chief of Operations and the Chief of Police to adapt policy as needed and prove compliance with CALEA standards. Sgt. Mitchell and Sgt. Payne’s efforts were critical to the success of this process and the department is awarding them the Unit Citation Award in recognition of their excellent performance.”

—Capt. Andrew Walsh (Jan. 16)