The Norwalk Board of Police Commissioners on Dec. 15 unanimously approved a set of personnel actions, including a disability pension for Detective Luis Serrano and several promotions and benefit requests.

Mayor Ruling presented the disability pension request for Detective Luis Serrano, with the effective date set for Jan. 1, 2026. Commissioners discussed the matter briefly in executive session and, upon return to public session, approved the pension by voice vote. "We owe it to them to make sure that they are fairly compensated," Mayor Ruling said while explaining the board's vote and expressing best wishes to Serrano.

The board also approved two promotions to detective. Chief (name not specified in the transcript) said Detective Tim Marquis’ retirement created a vacancy; Officer Stephanie Howard was promoted to detective effective Dec. 18, 2025, and Officer Jaime Acosta was promoted effective Jan. 1 (as announced at the meeting). Both promotions were moved and approved unanimously.

Other personnel items approved included a DROP (deferred retirement option) plan application for Officer Nick Kommesidis (packet lists an effective date of March 1, 2026), a bachelor’s degree stipend for Officer Stephanie Denise James under the department’s collective bargaining agreement, and tuition reimbursement for Lieutenant Sofia Gallino for 6 credits totaling $5,545 (half reimbursable = $2,772.50) toward a master’s program. The board confirmed there would be no retroactive stipend payments in the James case.

All of the recorded personnel motions during the public session carried by unanimous votes. The commission did not take any votes during the earlier executive session, and commissioners offered public thanks and well wishes to departing and promoted officers before adjourning.