2 Veteran Greenwich Police Officers Retire

Two veteran Greenwich Police officers have retired — taking with them a combined 53 years of law enforcement expertise, and two rather unique nicknames.

The retirements were announced last week by Police Chief James Heavey.

Det. Kent “Nooper” Reynolds, who completed 25 years of service, retired Aug. 1. And on Sept. 1, Court Technician William “Beans” Romanello retired after 33 years of service.

But neither officer won’t be whiling away the hours of their retirement. Both have been sworn in as special police officers.

Det. Kent ‘Nooper’ Reynolds

Reynolds, born and raised in Greenwich and a Greenwich High School graduate, was a second generation Greenwich Police Office. His father, Capt. Howard Reynolds, also was a member of the department. His brother, Sgt. Michael Reynolds, retired from the Greenwich Police Department in 2013.

On May 30, 1989, Reynolds was sworn in as a Greenwich Police Officer and graduated from the 218th Class of the Connecticut Municipal Police Basic Police Academy. His assignments included Patrol Officer, Police Dispatcher (1995) Accident Car Investigator (1997), Field Training Officer (1999) Youth Detective (2002), and finally he served as a Cold Case Investigator starting in 2011.

Reynolds received numerous departmental commendations for excellent police work and actions. He has received numerous Chief’s Commendations for investigations and apprehensions involving a wide array of situations. These commendations span his career from Patrol Officer to Detective and include actions taken while both on and off duty. In 1998 he was recognized for his calm professionalism while dispatching medical instructions when a baby was delivered by another police officer. In 1999 he was commended for the apprehension of a robbery suspect and in 2000 for the apprehension of a burglary suspect.

In 2002, based upon his outstanding achievements as a patrol officer and his proven investigative abilities, Kent was promoted to youth detective. While assigned to the Youth Division, he became a fixture at the schools around town. Besides the investigations that he conducted, Reynolds performed countless talks to the town’s youth about public safety. Reynolds’ easy going communication style allowed him to express the most serious of content to the appropriate mental capacity of his juvenile audience.

Reynolds’ file includes letters of praise from state officials, school administrators and parents alike, all noting in some way his dedication, empathy and sensitivity when dealing with the most challenging of investigations. During this assignment, Reynolds investigated many sexual assault cases and his efforts in bringing the suspects to justice resulted in a Chief’s Commendation several years running.

In 2010 GPD reorganized the Detective Division to include the new Special Victims Section (SVS) with the mandate to investigate crimes committed against the community’s most vulnerable: children, the elderly, and those with special needs. Reynolds’ high clearance rate of serious crimes resulted in his being assigned to the Cold Case Squad of this section in 2011.

Heavey said in a statement, “I’ve worked with Nooper for many years and as I reflect upon his service there is one thought that comes to mind: pride. Nooper was proud to be a Police Officer and proud to be a member of the Greenwich Police Department. He worked hard to make the community that he grew up in a better place. Nooper was a tenacious investigator always working to bring the criminals that preyed upon our citizens to justice. I look forward to his continued service with the Town in his capacity as a Special Police Officer.”

Court Officer William “Beans” Romanello

Romanello, also a Greenwich native and Greenwich High School graduate, worked as a Town of Greenwich Summer Beach Special and a volunteer Special Police Officer. He also worked as a civilian Police Dispatcher before he was sworn in on Oct. 20, 1980. He graduated from the 157th session of the Connecticut Municipal Police Basic Police Academy. Romanello’s assignments included Patrol Officer, Police Dispatcher (1995) and Court Officer (1998).

Romanello has received numerous departmental commendations for excellent police work and actions. His commendations were for a wide array of incidents including robbery apprehensions and VIP security details, as well as medical assistance. Romenello’s greatest strength has always been in the area of the police Communication Center.

Throughout his long career his expertise would be channeled back to the Communication Center regardless of his assignment. Romanello would maintain his certification as a trainer and throughout his career provided innumerable hours of training for police officers and communication specialists assigned to the Communications Center. He received several Chief’s Commendations for dispatching excellence as well as several letters from a grateful public for his calm professionalism and compassion. His expertise in the dispatch center would be called upon by the department’s administrators in 1992 when he was asked to author a modern Enhanced 911 Communications Center Policy.

In 1998, Romanello was advanced to the Court Liaison Officer’s position where he managed not only the intricate policies and procedures of the Connecticut Judicial System but also those of surrounding states. As the liaison, Romanello’s affable nature coupled with his competence and professional demeanor allowed him to easily navigate the extensive network of courts and correctional facilities at the State and Federal levels throughout the Northeast.

Heavey said of Romanello, “Beans is a people person and he will be missed in the day-to-day operations of the department. He always looked at police work as a way to give back to the community. Beans started his police career as a volunteer Special Police Officer and will return to that volunteer role as a Special Police Officer once again. We are fortunate that we will be able to continue to tap into his deep institutional knowledge. I wish him luck in his new career.”

Contributed photos: Court Officer Edward Romanello, left, Det. Kent Reynolds.

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