4 New Police Officers Begin Field Training In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — Four new police officers are beginning their field training in New Canaan after graduating this week from the Connecticut Police Academy's 366th training session in Meriden, according to New Canaan police officials.

The four — Emily Clark, Erin McCarthy, Joseph Schinella and Giancarlo Vincenzi — were sworn in by the New Canaan Police Department in June of last year, before they began the 30-week recruit training at the academy.

Prior to being sworn in last summer, the four had to successfully complete the selection process for the New Canaan department.

"All candidates successfully endured an intensive testing and selection process including a written examination, physical agility testing, interview panel, polygraph, psychological evaluation, background investigation, medical testing, and Police Commission interview," officials said.

The field training process involves a minimum of 400 hours of field training with membes of the New Canaan Police Department before being certified as Probationary Police Officers, and they can patrol on their own.

Below is information on the four new officers:

• Emily Clark, from Newtown, most recently was employed by the Newtown and Easton Police Departments as a Public Safety Dispatcher. She graduated from Newtown High School and went on to earn bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Post University.
• Erin McCarthy, from Stratford, graduated from Trumbull High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Equine Business Management from Delaware Valley University.
• Joseph Schinella, from Stamford, graduated from Stamford High School and earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Fairfield University.
• Giancarlo Vincenzi, from Trumbull, most recently was employed by Abilis in Norwalk as a Senior Life Coach. He graduated from Trumbull High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Central Connecticut State University.