Milford Police Department Promotes Six Members

Six of “Milford’s Finest” were sworn in to their new ranks at the first-ever Milford Police Department public promotional ceremony Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.

Each was sworn in by Chief Keith Mello after which members of each individual’s family pinned their new badges on.

“This is a great day for the Milford Police Department and the entire community," Mayor James Richetelli told Milford Patch. "A new kind of leadership reinforces the good things about Milford.”

Alderman James Patterson said, “The community should be proud of all its officers as well as those receiving promotions today.”

Both lauded the concept of holding this ceremony in a public forum.

Former Chairman of the Milford Police Commission, Carlton Giles, came from Norwalk to congratulate the newly promoted officers.

“Milford is one of the finest police departments in the state.” he said.

Officer Peter Parks was promoted to sergeant. Parks graduated from Providence College in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a certificate in public administration. He is currently a member of the bicycle, marine and scuba units. He is a certified Field Training Officer. As a sergeant, he will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

Officer Brian Rojee is a 6 1/2-year veteran of the Milford Police Department, currently assigned to the K-9 Unit. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Sacred Heart University. He is a 2004 graduate of the Federal Police Corp Academy, where he was class valedictorian and given the Physical Skills award. Following his promotion to sergeant, he will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

Sgt. Kenneth Rahn joined the Milford Police Department in 1994. He graduated from Foran High School in 1989. A graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie N.Y., he earned a bachelor's of science in criminal justice: police organization and administration. In 1996, he and his K-9 partner, Samson, received the Daniel S. Wasson Memorial award for pride, dedication and enthusiasm. The following year, Rahn and Samson attended the Connecticut State Police Narcotics Detection Academy after which Samson became the first narcotic-detection K-9 in the department. Rahn was promoted to sergeant in 2008. Following his promotion to lieutenant, he will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

Sgt. Brandon Marschner entered the Milford Police Academy in 1998 and became a probationary officer in 1999. He graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. In 1997, Marschner received a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven. Marschner is a member of the marine/scuba, ATV, bicycle and COPSS units. Following his promotion to lieutenant, he will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

Sgt. Vaughan Dumas is a 22-year veteran of the Milford Police Department. He is currently a patrol sergeant with the Patrol Division. He is coordinator of the Milford Police Honor Guard and is a certified police instructor. He developed and continues to be part of the Citizens Police Academy program. Dumas graduated from Platt Regional Technical High School and has an associate’s degree in science. In 2002, he was the recipient of the Milford Chamber of Commerce “Public Sector Award,” and he was named the 2000/2001 “Crime Prevention Officer of the Year” for the State of Connecticut.  He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in public safety administration at Charter Oak State College. Following his promotion, he will be assigned to the Administrative Division as the professional standards lieutenant.

Lt. Timothy Connor is a 20-year veteran of the Milford Police Department. He graduated from the Milford Police Academy in 1991. He served for 10 years in the Patrol Division before being promoted to sergeant in June 2001. In 2003, he administered and managed the City of Milford’s first formal Homeland Security Assessment for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant and served in the Patrol Division as shift commander. Following his promotion to captain, he will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

In his introduction to the ceremony, the police chief noted that this is an important milestone for each of the six men and their families.

“It is about pride, accomplishment and opportunity,” Mello said.

The starting salaries for each of the promotional positions are:

Sergeant              $65,135

Lieutenant          $75,379

Captain              $80,801

“This is an opportunity to become leaders,” he told the men, adding that effective leaders have respect for the rules and regulations and set goals and objectives.

The four necessary traits Mello cited are “character, perseverance through adversity, skills, and commitment.”

Finally, newly promoted captain, Connor, addressed the audience.

“When I was in Baghdad,” he said, “My commander said, ‘When you leave, make sure this place is better than when you got here.’ ”

Connor pledged his determination to do the same in Milford saying, “This department just got stronger.”