By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
Greenwich police welcomed a new member to their department earlier this week, as Hannah Schmitt was sworn in during a ceremony on Monday morning at Town Hall.
Selectman John Toner administered the oath to Schmitt as her parents, John and Jill, and brother, Collin, looked on. Schmitt will now head off for training at the Police Officer Standards and Training Council in Meriden, Conn., for six months. After Schmitt completes her academy training, she’ll return to Greenwich and take part in the state-mandated 12-week field training program before she can go out on the road by herself.
“To get to this point, Hannah had a long selection process,” said Greenwich Chief of Police James Heavey, who noted that it took well over a year to get to the swearing-in ceremony. “Your job is to do really well at the training, because that will make you and the other officers that work with you safe and we’ll take care of you after that,” he said to Schmitt.
Schmitt, 23, lives in New Windsor, N.Y., in Orange County. She graduated from Valley Central High School and attended Dutchess Community College before graduating from Orange County Community College, where she majored in criminal justice.
Schmitt then graduated from the Ulster County Law Enforcement Training Group and was a part-time police officer for nine months in Montgomery and Washingtonville, N.Y.
“I worked really hard to get here,” she said after she took the oath. “I’m honored to be able to put myself through here and be the person to be sworn in today.”
Because of different state laws, Schmitt must go through training again to be an officer in Connecticut—something she said she was both nervous and excited about.
“I love physical activity, I’m a very avid runner. I work out a lot, so I’m ready for any challenge that goes before me,” she said. “The more challenging something is the more I like it, because it makes me want to be the best at something, so I look forward to doing the best I can.”
Law enforcement has always been a passion for Schmitt, who said she wanted to help out in the community and solve problems.
“I never really wanted an office job,” she said. “I always enjoyed conversing with people and being out in the public, so what better way than to serve the public as an officer of the law.”
Schmitt pointed out that her family has been a great “support group” for her as she’s gotten into law enforcement. Her father is a recently retired FDNY firefighter, and her brother, Collin, has served in the Army National Guard.
Schmitt specifically mentioned her mother as the glue that holds her family together. “I wouldn’t be able to be here today [without] my mom, who has been my rock,” she said.
Schmitt’s mother, Jill, said she always knew being a police officer was her daughter’s calling. Although she’s going to a bigger department, Mrs. Schmitt has confidence that her daughter will succeed just as she did in New York.
“I’m thrilled. It’s a big move leaving her comfort zone. She’s already made a name for herself. She’s a very good worker,” she said.
Collin said he was extremely proud of her sister as she begins the next chapter of her career. “I have no doubt that she’s going to do amazing at the academy and do amazing for the people of Greenwich and the state of Connecticut.”
For Heavey, any time the department swears in a new officer, it’s important to remind them that they’re united. “This is one of those times where we want to really make sure that they understand that we’re a family,” he said. “We’re going to support her to be successful.”
Heavey said that the department just gave a new test to prospective officers, and that they hope to fill three more spots to be at full strength.
