By Liz Leamy
Last Saturday, scores of people showed up to partake in the Greenwich Police Department’s much-anticipated Police Day event held at Bruce Place in front of the organization’s headquarters to help celebrate National Police Week in honor the courage and sacrifice of law enforcement officers held May 10th to May 16th as well as National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th.
This popular annual event, representing a powerful and memorable connective experience for visitors and members of the GPD, was defined by its viable energy, vitality and conviviality to render it as a gold star experience on all counts.
Throughout the event, which ran from 10am to 2pm, visitors could be seen interacting with GPD members as they talked and learned about the organization’s operations and its remarkable display of trucks, cars, motorcycles, boats, drones and other things there that are utilized to protect and serve the community.
Specifically, there were ongoing tours of the GPD headquarters, a K-9 and drone demonstration, an opportunity for visitors to meet Mason, the GPD Facility Dog, an installation station, bouncy house and delicious complimentary hot dogs, among other things.
For members of the GPD, this event was all about having an opportunity to interact with everyone there.
“Police Day is here and it has just been great,” said Officer Thomas Huestis, who is a Pilot with the GPD Drone Program and has been serving the force for 22 years. “The Greenwich Police Department is showing all the different units here and what we do, including outreach, recruitment and getting involved.”
During the event, Officer Huestis conducted a demonstration of the latest drone technology being utilized by the GPD with his operation of a state-of-the-art drone he flew above the area.
This high-tech drone represents one of three (with the other two being slightly smaller in size) drones comprising the Guardian System Drone Detection Unit that is managed and used by the GPD, with each one linked to an Apple IPad so officers can call them in for search, rescue or fire situations and emergencies.
In the case of a burglary or if the GPD is in search of a potential suspect, the drones, particularly the main one, can be sent directly to the search area and, with its state-of-theart thermal capability and 30x optimal zoom capability, can provide the GPD with immediate detailed information so they can handle the emergency in as optimal, efficient and as safe way as possible.
At the same time, the drones can also be used to detect any potential drones flying in an area and identify who might be flying them in order to insure air safety at all times in the town.
The GPD Marine Operations Unit, which handles vessel distress calls, search and rescue operations, ice rescues and fire suppression on the water, also had a vessel on display with its officers there to explain about it as well as about all aspects of the unit.
“It’s nice to have everyone come up here and familiarize themselves with the equipment we use,” said Marine Officer Joseph Turcsanyi. “We go item to item and explain what we use each of them for and for what situations they’re needed in.”
His colleague agreed.
“This is a great event that brings everyone together and it shows the community what we all do,” said Marine Officer Matthew Adamchak.
Across the way stood the GPD tent where representatives on hand there provided visitors with information about the popular Explorer (Cadet) Program that is geared toward offering teenagers and young adults ages 14 to 21 an opportunity to obtain hands-on training and insight with law enforcement.
“A lot of the students involved in the program have an interest in law enforcement,” said Officer Brooke Lombardo of the GPD, the primary advisor of the program. “They learn about case law, go through scenarios that they train for at the Police Department, meet other Explorer Post Program members in Connecticut, New York and other states and do volunteer work here in town.”
According to Officer Lombardo, this program, in which its members meet nearly every two weeks with a break during the summer, is open to anyone interested in learning about law enforcement and is one that is centered, more than anything, around the teaching of life skills.
“Participants learn about life skills and how to handle and navigate responsibility, leadership, accountability and integrity,” said Officer Lombardo.
Another highlight was the presence of Mason, the friendly English Black Labrador who is one of the newest GPD members.
Mason, whose official title is Facility Dog for the GPD, is currently undergoing training that he is slated to continue through the end of July in order for him to begin his run at the GPD in August, where he will be working directly with Community Impact Officer (CIO) Dan Paladino.
Mason’s role, meanwhile, is to help the organization further build its community connections and also help support those who might benefit from interaction with him based upon their situations, among other vital things.
Certainly, this event was one for the books with it serving as a powerful forum for members of the community and the GPD as they continue to build their already very strong bond.
“We’re all here together and it’s about connection,” said Officer Huestis. “Chief Heavey (James Heavey, the Chief of Police for the Town of Greenwich) has done such a great job helping to make this all happen and there is such strength in the bond between the community and police department here. We all work together.”
