Greenwich Police Department Celebrates 125th Anniversary

GREENWICH, CT — In 1896, "watchmen" were appointed in Greenwich and tasked with watching stores along Greenwich Avenue at night after residents called for more efficient police protection in town.

Ten years later, in 1906, the Greenwich Police Department was officially formed. Now, in 2021, the department will celebrate its 125th anniversary and plans to mark the occasion with a number of fun events. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

In a news release announcing the events, Police Chief James Heavey said he was proud the department had earned a reputation of being "a well-trained and responsive, professional organization" over the past 125 years. Currently, there are 152 officers serving the department.

"We strive for excellence and have demonstrated a sustained commitment of service to the public," Heavey said in a release. "I am very appreciative to be a member of this family, past and present, and I am equally pleased that we can celebrate this milestone together. We look forward to the history we will write together in the years ahead."

First Selectman Fred Camillo said Monday he was also looking forward to celebrating "the best police department in Connecticut" and the 125 years its members have spent protecting the public.

"The Greenwich Police Department is now building on a stellar tradition with a new, more modern policing presence in town," Camillo said to Patch, "one that is more mobile, more present and more accessible to our 63,000 residents and the people who visit our wonderful town. We salute the GPD Blue and look forward to the next 125 years of excellence.

According to Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, the GPD stands out among other police departments in Fairfield County because they not only serve the community, but are a part of the community.

"They listen and they learn what our needs are," Rabin said to Patch, "from Coffee with a Cop, the Community and Police Partnership (CAPP), serving lunch to seniors or resources for our students, they are out in our community building relationships. These relationships are important for the mutual trust critical to maintaining our public safety and effective policing."

In honor of this milestone, Heavey and the department will welcome the community and longtime partners, including local businesses, to partake in several events throughout the year, the theme of which will be "honoring our past and embracing our future."

The department will also raise funds to support the department's scholarship fund, which grants financial assistance to the children of active Greenwich police officers who qualify, by ability and character, for undergraduate studies.

"As a police department, it's important for us to celebrate, especially now," Heavey said. "It's been a different year due to COVID-19 and the many other stressors police officers are dealing with every day. We want the residents of Greenwich to join us in paying tribute and recognizing our officers and staff who strive to keep Greenwich safe for everyone."

While celebratory events for the notable anniversary are being planned throughout the year, some upcoming events include:

• Easter or Passover Baskets purchased at Funky Monkey Toys and Books to benefit the department's scholarship fund, March 30 – April 3. Tell Funky Monkey, located at 86 Greenwich Avenue, your child's age and interests, and they will create a special personalized basket. Shop at a safe distance in-store or choose curbside pick-up. Orders can be placed in-person, by phone, FaceTime or text (203-769-5884), and 10 percent of profits from baskets purchased will go to the scholarship fund.

• NicholsMD, located at 50 Old Field Point Road, will donate 5 percent of their "product of the month" for the entire month of June to the scholarship fund.

• Miku Sushi, located at 68 Greenwich Avenue, will dedicate a special sushi roll with proceeds going to GPDSF for the entire month of September.

• Vineyard Vines, located at 145 Greenwich Avenue, will hold a back-to-school sale, with proceeds going to the scholarship fund.

• The Greenwich Police Department Scholarship Fund Benefit Car Show will be held Aug. 28 at Greenwich Town Hall, located at 101 Field Point Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for Aug. 29. Admission is free and will include classic, antique, custom and exotic cars, motorcycles, vintage fire trucks and military vehicles. There will be a DJ, a 50/50 drawing, food trucks and more. Vehicle or motorcycle can be registered to show at www.gpdscholarshipfund.org.

• The Greenwich Policeman's Ball will be held Oct. 16 at the Riverside Yacht Club, located on Club Road in Riverside, at 6:30 p.m. Join the department for dinner and dancing to celebrate the 125th anniversary. The event will honor the past, present and future men and women of the department. Sponsorships are available for businesses who wish to participate. Patron tickets are available and will include a patron's cocktail party on Sept. 30 at Miller Motorcars Ferrari Showroom, located at 342 West Putnam Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be reserved at www.gpdscholarshipfund.org/policemans-ball.

Further information about the scholarship fund can be found at www.gpdscholarshipfund.org.