New Canaan Police Hire 3 New Officers

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Police Department has announced the hiring of three new officers who will be sworn in this week.

According to a news release provided by police, the swearing in ceremony is scheduled to take place Thursday at 11 a.m. in the New Canaan Town Hall Meeting Room.

Police also provided descriptions of each new officer. Brian Buckley, 39, of Bethel, was employed as a financial advisor for Charles Schwab prior to being selected as a new officer. He graduated from New Milford High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Le Moyne College, where he majored in history.

Austin Malizia, 33, of Norwalk, held several positions as a social worker in the healthcare field prior to being selected as a new officer. He is also a volunteer with the New Canaan Fire Company.

Malizia graduated from New Canaan High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State University, where he majored in social work.

Carlos Prado, 25, of Fairfield is a 2nd Lieutenant and platoon leader with the CT Army National Guard’s 248th Engineering Company. He graduated from Stamford High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, where he majored in nutritional science.

According to police, all three candidates participated in the fall 2023 recruitment process for police officer with the New Canaan Police Department. They were three of over 80 candidates that submitted eligible applications for employment.

Each candidate 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.

The three new officers will begin their recruit training April 5 at the Connecticut Police Academy's 382nd training session in Meriden, according to police. The tentative graduation date for that class is during the first week of October.

After completion of 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.