Orange PD: Lt. Anthony Cuozzo Named New Assistant Chief

Lieutenant Anthony Cuozzo, a 22-year veteran of the Orange Police Department, will assume the role of Assistant Chief following the retirement of Edward Koether. The Board of Police Commissioners voted Tuesday evening to give the position to Cuozzo after a selection process that included four other Orange lieutenants.

"He certainly has prepared himself for this job," said chief Robert Gagne. "He's taken the necessary steps and done the best he can to prepare himself for this step."

Cuozzo served in the patrol division from 1990 to 1994. After serving on the Statewide Narcotics Task Force and as the department's youth / D.A.R.E. officer, he was promoted to Sergeant in 2002 and Lieutenant in 2003.

Cuozzo got the news from Chief Gagne by phone Tuesday evening.

"He was thrilled," said Gagne. "He said he was rendered speechless at first. He's very happy and he's looking forward to getting started."

Gagne says Cuozzo and other candidates went through a rigorous selection process.

"The board took their time right from the start," he said. "They knew they had five great lieutenants and evaluated each candidate, looked through personnel files, discussed strengths and weaknesses. From the start they weren't going to rush this decision."