New Canaan police report: renovation nears June 3 go-live; department highlights fraud arrests and names Officer of the Year

The New Canaan Police Commission heard an operations update on March 19 that said the department's building renovation is nearing completion and that the 9-1-1 dispatch system is scheduled to go live on June 3. Commissioners were told most construction is complete, gym equipment installation is wrapping up and only minor change orders remain.

The chief reported that Turner Construction and department staff are finishing final adjustments and that one piece of gym equipment is due the following week. "June 3 is the scheduled date for the 9-1-1 system and the dispatching," the chief said; departments will move offices in the weeks before and after that date as needed.

The commission also reviewed letters of appreciation for officers who worked on complex fraud investigations. The chief described two multi-month investigations led by Officer Bridal Morey and Officer Chanella that developed suspects and in one case led to an arrest after a stolen check for $50,000. A commissioner noted the suspect faces state charges of larceny third and forgery second; the chief and staff said federal prosecution for mail theft is handled by the U.S. Postal Service or FBI in cases with interstate elements and that local referrals have been made to postal investigators in prior cases.

Monthly operational statistics were presented: the department's budget was reported at about 62% spent year-to-date for the police division and about 58% for animal control, motor-vehicle stops were "up considerably," and minimum-shift coverage was reported at 42.5% in February (the lowest in three years). False alarms were described with a cited figure of "17,000," which commissioners characterized as favorable compared with recent history. The chief said extra-duty work and receivables are being pursued by staff.

The commission also announced Officer Jeff Pollock as the department's officer of the year, nominated by peers and supervisors for dependable performance, calm radio presence and additional duties as a car-seat technician.

Commissioners asked follow-up questions about mail-theft referrals and noted that the U.S. Postal Service has its own investigators and typically handles many mailbox-theft matters unless an interstate nexus is present.