Greenwich Selectmen Appoint New Deputy Police Chief

GREENWICH, CT — The Board of Selectmen on Thursday voted to approve Capt. Mark Zuccerella as the next deputy chief of the Greenwich Police Department. Zuccerella will fill the vacancy left by Robert Berry, who left town to become the chief of police at Western Connecticut State University.

The board voted two in favor with Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan abstaining. McGuigan said that while she supported Zuccerella for the position, she had an issue with the interview process and felt she and fellow Selectwoman Lauren Rabin should've been involved.

GPD Chief James Heavey addressed the board and spoke about Zuccerella's career as a law enforcement officer, which stretches nearly 25 years — 13 of which have been in Greenwich.

"This was not an easy task to pick. We had outside candidates, we had internal candidates and we had some very outstanding individuals who were considered for this position," Heavey said. "[Mark] has been at the forefront of things like our Juvenile Review Board, and other innovations in community policing. Without reservation, I recommend him for the position of deputy chief of the Greenwich Police Department."

Zuccerella is a Greenwich native who attended St. Mary's High School and later Sacred Heart University, where he received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He obtained a master's degree in human resource development and administration from Barry University, and has graduated from numerous law enforcement programs and classes.

Zuccerella served as a police officer in Florida for several years before returning to Greenwich, where has been in positions of great responsibility in various ranks. He worked a patrol lieutenant and sergeant over eight years, and has been a captain since 2020, overseeing about 94 officers.

He also serves in a public information officer capacity, and is one of the department's representatives for the management contract negotiation team. Zuccerella also reviews the department's unified policy manual and when needed, has developed policies for the department.

He works as the GPD's digital content steward and directs the department's webpage, social media platforms and digital presence.

"I've known Mark for many, many years. I've known his family for many years. He's always been a great guy, and his family is very proud of him as are all of his friends here in Greenwich. I know he'll do a really great job for many years to come," said First Selectman Fred Camillo.

McGuigan congratulated Zuccerella, but said she would be abstaining because of a concern with the interview process.

"My colleague Lauren Rabin and I were not included in the interview process. The board of selectmen is the police commission, and I'm not a lawyer, but the way I read our town charter, we should have been included in that interview process," McGuigan said. "I don't want my abstention in any way to look like I am questioning anyone's judgement or qualifications or trying to slow down the process. I'm thrilled that Greenwich has someone as qualified as Mark Zuccerella. But going forward, I definitely think all three of us should be included in the interview process."

The board of selectmen serves as the police commision, with Camillo as the police and fire commissioner. Heavey said the commission needs to convene when selecting a chief for either department, but deputy chiefs have historically been recommended to the board by the chief.

"Over the course of historically reviewing all of the circumstances and looking at the town charter, and there were some changes… It has not happened in the past that the board of selectmen, acting as the police commission, has ever been in on any of the interviews for command staff personnel, other than the chief," Heavey said.

"I think it may have even been an oversight at some point, but we don't know," Camillo said of the language in the charter. "Certainly the first selectman is the police commissioner, the board of selectmen is the police commission. For the fire department, the first selectman is the fire commissioner, but it doesn't say [the board is] the fire commission. But the language is very similar."

He said perhaps the language in the charter should be updated to provide clarification. He said updating language or codifying laws or statutes that have been on the books for years "that didn't match up with the times, and sometimes was a mistake," was a common practice when he was a legislator in Hartford.

"It would be more efficient if we were all together, but I'd' look to the town attorney to see if maybe we can see… if the language could be more consistent," he said.

Any changes would have to go through the Representative Town Meeting.

"I'm not looking for lots more things to put on their agenda, but certainly I'm OK with that if we wanted to do that," Camillo added.

Zuccerella spoke briefly after the vote became official. A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for May 9, Camillo said.

"Thank you for the confidence in allowing me to become the next deputy chief of the Greenwich Police Department," he said. "It will be my continued service to serve whatever the will and pleasure is of the town of Greenwich, its residents and visitors. I look forward to the new position."

The GPD will now fill the captain vacancy left by Zuccerella.