By Liz Leamy
Last Saturday, more than 150 people gathered at the Greenwich Police Department at 11 Bruce Place to partake in its popular annual event, Police Day, in which they were able to learn about its high-tech display of Specialized Response Unit trucks, cars, drones and other equipment while enjoying such amenities as a bouncy castle, ice cream truck, hot dog barbeque and other fun things.
This event, which marks a kickoff to National Police Week that takes place from May 11th through May 17th, represents a means to connect the members of the Greenwich Police Department (GPD) with people in the community and its surrounding areas in a fun and memorable manner.
By all counts, this event was a runaway hit in all regards, as everyone there could be seen checking out the vehicles and equipment and enjoying its other offerings amidst interacting the many dedicated and friendly members of the GPD.
“We do this as a kickoff to [National] Police Week in Washington D.C. and we’ve been doing it for a couple of years. It’s a great way to connect and give back to the community and we always like to encourage everyone to come out,” said Sergeant Ryan Carino, who is in charge of the GPD’s Community Impact Section. “We bring out all our police gear from our SRU (Specialized Response Unit), including the truck, drone, traffic and Marine division, as well as a Patrol Representative, so we try to show everyone how there are a lot of different layers in the Police Department.”
Sergeant Carino also spoke about how this event provides an excellent way for people to connect directly with the members of the GPD.
“We want everyone to come hang out here, have a good time and ask us any questions they have and go from there,” said Sergeant Carino, whose parents and grandparents happen to be from Greenwich. “I’ve been coming here since I was born, so when I had gotten hired here, it was a full-circle thing, which is pretty cool.”
Sergeant Carino also expressed the wonderful support the GPD has and continues to receive from the town and its people.
“We feel very supported by this community and we’re very fortunate to work in a town like Greenwich,” said Sergeant Carino, who has been ‘on the job’ for 12 years to date. “We all work together.”
Carino’s colleagues agreed.
“We try to serve our community as best we can,” said Officer Sabrina Diaz of the GPD. “We all work together and I think this represents that.”
The sunny and optimistic mood of this event was especially poignant in citing that National Police Week is centered around the bravery and dedication of law enforcement officers across the country, as it honors and remembers those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, with tens of thousands of its members and supporters from all over the U.S. and world convening in Washington D.C. during the week to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
