New Canaan Police To Hire 2 New Officers

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Police Department will hire two new officers during a ceremony Thursday.

In a news release, Police Lt. Marc DeFelice said both John Barlosky, 31, of Stratford, and Ryan Mero, 38, of West Harrison, N.Y., will be sworn-in at 11:30 a.m. at the New Canaan Town Hall meeting room.

According to DeFelice, Barlosky has worked in the music and entertainment industry for several years and is self-employed as a musician, singer, and entertainer in his own company. He graduated from Greenwich High School and is certified as an EMT.

Prior to being selected as a new officer, Mero held several positions in the corporate field. He graduated from Avon Old Farms High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Saint Michael's College, were he majored in business management.

Both candidates participated in the fall 2023 recruitment process for police officer with the New Canaan Police Department, DeFelice said. They were two of over 80 candidates that submitted eligible applications for employment.

According to DeFelice, both officers 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.

Barlosky and Mero will begin their recruit training Jan. 4 at the Connecticut Police Academy’s 381st training session in Meriden. The tentative graduation date for that class is during the week of July 8.

After completing the academy, they will undergo a minimum of 400 hours of field training with the New Canaan Police Department before being certified as probationary police officers, DeFelice said.