Police Chief Kulhawik on 4 Newest Cops: "Cream of the Crop"

Four new police officers were sworn in by Mayor Rilling Thursday morning at City Hall. The new officers – Elizabeth Gay, Kimberly Prada, John Petrafesa and Daniel Vazquez – each took the oath before receiving their badges and pausing to have their photos taken with proud family and friends.
 
"The process is not easy," said Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik, with a nod to the new officers' family members. "We know more about them than you do, I think, and even with that we still have them," he joked. Then, on a serious note Kulhawik detailed the process of becoming a Norwalk Police officer.

"First a physical test, then a written test, then oral panel in front of some citizens and some department members. If they get through the top people go on," Kulhawik  said. "There's a psychological exam, medical exam, polygraph, comprehensive background investigation visiting  your homes, talking to friends, relatives. And then a psychological test that's very intense... They got through all that and many don't. It's about one in ten who can get through all that."

"It's a great job. You'll be here 20-30 years like I've been," Kulhawik joked.

"Or 41," said Mayor Rilling referring to his years on the police force.

"We've all been talking about what an impressive group of candidates this was," added Deputy Chief David Wrinn. "I'm looking forward to working with them."

Kulhawik said that with these appointments, the Police force is now fully staffed at 178 members.

Rilling described the department as the best of the best. "This is without a doubt the finest police department anywhere. We are a nationally accredited department. I don't know that there's even 1,000 agencies accredited in the country."

Rilling explained that next, the four probationary officers will go to the Bridgeport Police Academy, which is a commuter academy, for 27 weeks of intense training.

"I expect one of you to come out first and the others to come out second, third and fourth," Rilling said with a smile. "But when all is said and done, and you finally get that key to the patrol car, it's going to be an amazing feeling."