State Police Name Replacement for Spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance

Connecticut State Police have announced that Sgt. Shane Hassett will take Lt. J. Paul Vance’s place as the State Police spokesman.

Vance has since assumed the role of commander of the State Police Traffic Services Unit. He was the public information officer for 16 years and is currently the longest serving state police sworn officer.

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Hassett joined State Police in 1990 and was promoted to sergeant 14 years ago. He was previously assigned to Troop C in Tolland and has also served at Troop E in Montville, Troop K in Colchester and as a special liaison to the Department of Developmental Services. He earned a bachelor of general studies from the University of Connecticut in 2005.

Vance rose to national and international prominence following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left 20 children and six adults dead in 2012. His reassignment caused some controversy in the state.

Trooper First Class Kelly Grant will remain assigned to the public information officer. She has been with the office for five years and has been with the department for 14 years.

Troopers Carlos Hernandez-Garcia and Joel Contreras are fluent in both Spanish and English. They are currently assigned to troops in the state and won’t be full-time members of the Public Information Office.

Scott DeVico will also still serve in the office. He has served as public information officer and legislative program manager for the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security from 2005 to 2011.

DeVico has served as the Public Information Officer for Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Scientific Services, POST, Fire Services and 911-Statewide as well as the Legislative Program Manager for the department.