the Town of Greenwich by Frank Trotta

Chief to BET

Retirement Announcement
Detective Gary Hoffkins #404
June 27,1986 – February 1, 2013

Chief of Police James Heavey, announced the retirement of Detective Gary Hoffkins, who has completed 27 years of service with the Greenwich Police Department.
Detective Hoffkins was born and raised in Greenwich graduating from Greenwich High School in 1978. He then attended Norwalk Community College concentrating in Criminal Justice studies. One of his first jobs was as a Town of Greenwich civilian Police Dispatcher from 1982-1986.
On June 27, 1986 he was sworn in as a Greenwich Police Officer and would graduate from the 196th Class of the Connecticut Municipal Police Basic Police Academy. Detective Hoffkins assignments included Patrol Officer, Communications Officer, Special Response Unit (SRU),Accident Investigator ( Master Police Officer), and Detective.
Early in his career Detective Hoffkins was selected over many more senior officers to become one of the departments first Field Training Officers (FTO). Over the years he would oversee the initial training of many of the young police recruits. In 1990 he was promoted to Accident Investigator (Master Police Officer) and promoted again in 1999 to Detective.
Gary spent most of his career on the road dealing with dynamic situations that required a quick and measured response; this was during various assignments both while in the Patrol Division and the Detective Division. His success out there resulted in a new assignment where for the last two years Detective Hoffkins has been assigned to the arduous yet prestigious position as a Cold Case Investigator.
Detective Hoffkins file contains numerous departmental commendations for excellent police work and actions exemplifying the best tradition of police service. These commendations span his career from Dispatcher to Detective. Detective Hoffkins Commendation’s are representative of the full range of crime in Greenwich. He has received Chief Commendations for investigations and apprehensions for: Auto Theft, Burglary, Car Jacking, Fraud, Kidnapping, Larceny investigations, Narcotics, Pedophile Arrests, Prostitution, and Homicides Investigations and not to mention his life saving efforts on medical calls and traffic accidents.
His outstanding dedication to duty resulted in his being recognized as the Officer of the Month twice; once in 2010 and once again 2011. He and his fellow squad Detectives were recognized by the Town of Greenwich First Selectman as the “Team of the Year” in 2010. Whether the principle investigator or that solid team player, Detective Hoffkins efforts were always instrumental to the successful conclusion in so many investigations.
Detective Hoffkins file similarly contains numerous letters of appreciation from local citizens, clergy and outside agencies. They all recount his professionalism and compassion. Detective Hoffkins has been in the service to the community for his entire adult life and he is a “Life Member” of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company and proud member of the Silver Shield Association.

“Gary’s a Glenville native and has an intimate knowledge of the town. Gary has been a huge asset to the department in so many investigations and situations, we are very fortunate that he will continue to share his institutional knowledge in retirement.
Detective Hoffkins will continue to serve the Town of Greenwich as a volunteer Special Police Officer. I am very proud to have served with Gary and wish him the best in the next stage of his life.”
Chief James Heavey

—————

Retirement Announcement
Detective Robert A. Brown Jr. #414
August 24, 1987 – February 1, 2013

Chief of Police James Heavey, announced the retirement of Detective Robert Brown Jr., who has completed 27 years of service with the Greenwich Police Department.
Detective Brown was born and raised in Greenwich and was an Eagle Scout (Troop 25). He attended Brunswick School and graduated from Greenwich High School in 1981. He attended Southern Connecticut State University concentrating in Criminal Justice studies before enlisting in the United States Army as a Military Policeman (MP). Brown would have duty stations in Germany and at the United States Military Academy at West Point as an MP.
On August 24, 1987 he was sworn in as a Greenwich Police Officer and would graduate from the 205th Class of the Connecticut Municipal Police Basic Police Academy. Detective R. Brown Jr’s assignments included Patrol Officer, Accident Investigator (Master Police Officer), Honor Guard, and Detective.
Detective Brown was selected to become a Field Training Officer (FTO) where he would oversee the initial training of many of the new police recruits. He would continue to mentor many of these officers throughout their rookie year and beyond. He was also a department DWI instructor.
While assigned to the Patrol Division, Brown would distinguish himself for his tenacious enforcement of the DWI laws in CT. He was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his efforts in both 1998 and 1999. In 2000 Brown was promoted to the position of Accident Investigator (Master Police Officer). Brown spent most of his career on the road dealing with dynamic situations that required a quick and measured response. His direct no nonsense approach to police work, coupled with a high clearance rate, resulted in him being rewarded by promotion to Detective in 2007.
Detective Browns file contains numerous departmental commendations for excellent police work and actions exemplifying the best traditions of police service. He has received Chief Commendations for investigations and apprehensions in a wide array of situations. Which include; developing programs for the department, Auto Theft, Burglary, finding lost elderly, Frauds, Larceny, Life Saving Efforts, and severe traffic accidents. Of particular note was in 1996 while on his way to work, he helped rescue a citizen from a burning car. In 2006 he and co-recipient were honored as the Officer of the Year for an armed confrontation in which his level headed action resulted in an arrest and no loss of life. In 2010 he would be recognized as the Officer Of the Month for his investigative abilities with the solving of an Armed Robbery of a local pharmacy.

“Bob worked for me for many years on the road. A few things one could always say of Bob: He always had total control of the situation, he was relentless in the pursuit of justice, and he always demonstrated a dedication to duty. I am very proud to have served with Bob and wish him the best in the next stage of his life” said Chief James Heavey.

Upon his retirement Detective Brown plans on spending some additional time with his family before he takes on a new job in Arizona as an investigator.

Spring 2013 application

Burglary
Utility Worker Scam

On about 3:30 PM 02/19/2013 an elderly couple in the Byram Section of the Town of Greenwich were the victim of a distraction type burglary. A male suspect convinced the couple that he was an employee of the water company and that he was at the residence to check the buildings “water pressure.” Upon entering the residence the false employee was escorted to the basement by the husband while a second suspect then entered through the unlocked front door. The second subject went through the bedrooms and stole cash and jewelry.
As the second suspect was exiting the bedroom, the victim’s wife noticed the second suspect and asked what he was doing there? He related he was with the water company and he was there to check their “water pressure.”
The two suspects briefly communicated in Spanish (* The victims related that neither suspect had a discernible accent while speaking to the victims but clearly spoke to one another in Spanish.) The suspects left hurriedly and no one was hurt.
Description:
Subject # 1: male, 5’7”, stocky build, clean shaven, wearing a dark colored winter coat with a hood and baseball type cap
Subject #2: male, approximately 50 years old, wearing a dark shirt and jeans, wearing a baseball cap, possible walking with a limp
The below is taken from an Aquarian Press Release regarding similar activity.

“In light of recent cases around the state where criminals posing as utility workers have gained entrance to people’s homes, we want to stress the importance of being careful and conscientious when allowing anyone into private residences,” said Charles V. Firlotte, Aquarion President and CEO. “Our company follows strict protocols when entering customers’ homes and businesses, which include showing the customer an Aquarion photo ID. We also encourage any customer who is unsure or has concerns, to call our Customer Service Department.” Anyone who has further questions or would like additional information about how to identify an Aquarion employee may contact Aquarion Customer Service at (203)-445-7310. Customers outside the Greater Bridgeport area can call 1-800-732-9678.
http://www.aquarion.com/pdfs/PhotoIdentificationSafetyAdvisory.pdf

The Greenwich Police would like to remind our citizens that all the Utilities/Communication companies have a similar ID requirement for their employees. All field employees are required to carry company issued photo identification at all times and to present such identification upon request when entering into a customer’s home. If a worker cannot produce identification, customers should not allow entrance into their home or business and should immediately contact the Greenwich Police at (203) 622-8001. Do your best to write down a description of the subject and the make, model, and license plate of a vehicle if present.

Death Announcement_ Detective Pendergast

GREENWICH POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Safety Building
11 Bruce Place
Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone (203) 622-8000
Fax (203) 622-8095
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2013
P r e s s R e l e a s e
Contact: Sgt. Mark E. Zuccerella
Phone: (203) 618-8347

SELF-DEFENSE COURSE OFFERED BY THE GREENWICH POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Greenwich Police Department is sponsoring a free five week self-defense course as part of the Special Victims Section’s proactive approach in helping residents become prepared to thwart an assailant. The course’s target demographic group is females who reside or are employed in the Town of Greenwich. The course is given each Tuesday and Thursday, and each session is 90 minutes long. The course enrollment is limited to 30 participants who will be broken into two separate 15 person training groups.

The class will be administered by Greenwich Police Officers utilizing the core principle of modern female self-defense programs which emphasis situational awareness, how to handle confrontations, but most of all how to protect yourself physically from a larger and stronger attacker. The Officers conducting the class are trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and have been certified as instructors by the Gracie Combative Military and Law Enforcement Academy. Course participants will be learning maneuvers and techniques of this proven martial art.

Dates: April 2 thru April 30th
Times: Group One 6:00 PM
Group Two 7:30 PM

If interested, please contact Sergeant Mark Zuccerella at 203-618-8347 or at mzuccerella@greenwichct.org2, before March 26, 2013.

[1 -Tentatively, the department is planning on holding another course for an older demographic group in the Fall 2013.]