Avon Police Leadership Change Now Official

AVON, CT — The change in leadership announced in recent weeks with the Avon Police Department is now official.

According to the department, new chief Paul Melanson started his duties July 2 leading Avon's finest. He previously was the police chief in Farmington.

Meanwhile, the town bid adieu to the man who filled in as Avon's top cop since late 2019.

James Rio served as director of police services for Avon since December of that year, just prior to the pandemic that vastly impacted municipal police operations everywhere.

The department officially thanked Rio for his work leading the department in that capacity via Facebook late last week.

"In his short time, director Rio provided a stable presence not only for the officers but for the town as well," reads the department post.

"Director Rio’s experience helped the department navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic, civil unrest across the nation, the Police Accountability Act all while overhauling an aging police department."

Rio took over at a difficult time for the department, when the prior chief — Mark Rinaldo — was being investigated amid a town probe into his conduct.

Ultimately, Rinaldo retired shortly after the probe and the investigation was stopped.

While leading the department, Rio upgraded technology and helped secure a new telecommunications system that had not been updated since early 2000, according to the department.

"His commitment to law enforcement and the Avon community provided professional, progressive police services which awarded the Avon Police Department the gold standard in public safety by being re-accredited by CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies)," the department said in a statement. "Director Rio’s influence will continue to have a lasting impact at the Avon Police Department."

To see the Avon Police Department's Facebook page, click on this link.