‘An Exceptional Level of Commitment’: NCPD Honors Officers, Citizens

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The New Canaan Police Department honored 12 officers, two sergeants and two lieutenants in an awards ceremony, held Thursday morning inside the agency’s newly renovated headquarters. Town residents who helped in some incidents were also presented with awards. 

The Police Department gave out seven awards in total, including Unit Citation awards, Firearm Proficiency awards, Physical Fitness awards, Medical Awards, Meritorious Duty awards, the Civilian Award of Excellence, and the prestigious Stephen W. Wood Officer of the Year Award. 

Lt. Jason Ferraro, Sgt. Thomas Callinan and Officers Jeffrey Pollock, Matthew Marzano, Robert Rizzitelli, Annamaria Ceci, Nicholas Rienzi and Mairee Castro were presented the Unit Citation awards, Police Chief John DiFederico said at the awards ceremony, held in the training room at NCPD. 

“I am pleased to acknowledge your exceptional work and efforts during the 3-11 shift on May 24, 2024,” he said. 

DiFederico referred to three incidents where the team aided a male who was going through a mental health crisis, dealt with a juvenile who threatened to harm another and handled a sensitive domestic incident with professionalism and care. 

“Your performance was a testament to your dedication to duty, your capability to work seamlessly as part of a team and your adept application of tactical training in real world scenarios,” the chief said.

The department holds award ceremonies periodically for officers doing outstanding work. On Thursday, those in attendance included the families of those receiving awards, several police officers and First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Police Commission Chair Paul Foley.

Standing near the rest of the NCPD command staff—Deputy Chief Andrew Walsh and Capt. Joseph Farenga—DiFederico also presented the Perkin Award for Excellence in Shooting to Officer Nicholas Rienzi and the Commissioner’s Award for Shooting to Officer Bryan Connolly, following their high shooting scores in “the annual Handgun Qualification and Perkin Shoot Competition.” 

Two officers were given Physical Fitness awards. Officer Kelly Coughlin was presented with the Chief’s Award for Physical Agility, and Connolly was given the Commissioner’s Award for Physical Agility. 

“Officer Connolly and Officer Coughlin participated in the department’s fitness test which consisted of a one and one-half mile run, bench pressing, an agility course and a flexibility test,” DiFederico said. 

The Medical Award was presented to Ceci and residents Jennifer Joyce, Chip Buzzeo, Mitch Hoffman, Amy Kennedy, Barb Clayton and Chris Neary, resulting from their efforts of “courage, teamwork, and community spirit,” DiFederico said. 

Together, they saved a man who was “visibly in distress and suffering from a seizure” he said. “Because of their actions, a family still has their loved one.”

Lt. David Payne was presented with the Meritorious Duty Award for his outstanding work as the Lead Accident Reconstructionist, DiFederico said.

“His expertise and investigative acumen have led to numerous arrests and convictions, ensuring that accountability was met and justice was served,” he said. “More than that, Lt. Payne’s efforts have brought clarity, closure and comfort to the families of victims-something that cannot be measured, but deeply appreciated.”

Sgt. George Caponera was also presented a Meritorious Duty Award for his “dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence, which have had a lasting impact on the New Canaan Police Department’s training mission,” DiFederico said. 

Caponera “stepped up without hesitation” when the department was faced with a shortage of available Field Trainers. He accepted the position of full time Field Training Officer, showcasing “professionalism and resilience with no complaints,” DiFederico said. 

Finally, Officer Jeffrey Pollock was given The Stephen W. Wood Officer of the Year Award, “one of the most meaningful honors in our department,” DiFederico said. 

“Officer Pollock has consistently demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment in every role he has taken on-whether he was serving as a patrol officer, dispatcher, or certified car seat technician, his work has been outstanding across the board,” he said. 

Pollock thanked the department for the award, saying that he himself goes about his job quietly and correctly, as he had been trained by Wood himself.

DiFederico closed the ceremony by saying that NCPD is “exceptionally proud to honor our officers, medical personnel, and residents today.”

“Their unwavering commitment to duty reflects the very best of who we are as a community,” he said. “There is no doubt that it is because of our officers, our emergency medical personnel and our devoted residents that make New Canaan a very special place to live and work.”