Stamford's Public Safety Director To Step Down After Years Of Service

STAMFORD, CT — After more than a decade of service to Stamford, Ted Jankowski is stepping away from his role as the city's director of public safety, health and welfare.

Stamford is conducting a search for a new director, and is publicly posting the opening. The position is appointed by the mayor and must be approved by the Board of Representatives.

Jankowski said that after Mayor Caroline Simmons was elected, he committed to assisting her and the city during the initial transition period. Recently, he let Simmons know that he was ready to move on.

On Tuesday, Jankowski made the notification official.

"It has been an absolute honor to serve as the director of public safety, health, and welfare in the city of Stamford," Jankowski said in a statement Tuesday evening. "Being the director for more than a decade has been a passion and calling, being available 24/7 to address all issues. During my time here with the city, I have been fortunate to have worked with so many amazing people in the Office of Public Safety, throughout all city departments, and within the Stamford community."

Calling it a "privilege" to have served the city, Jankowski thanked public safety officials, along with Mayor Caroline Simmons and former Mayors David Martin and Michael Pavia.

"I am especially thankful to my wife and children who have made many sacrifices throughout the years allowing me to provide the highest quality of services to the city," Jankowski added. "Leaving will be an opportunity for me to experience more and to serve professionally in a broader capacity, applying the knowledge and the many years of experience gained here for the next chapter of my career. Stamford is a great city, one that will always be a special place for me."

In a news release, Simmons lauded Jankowski for his years of service.

"Under his leadership, in partnership with our police, fire and health departments, we have seen significant improvements to the public safety and welfare of Stamford residents," Simmons said. "His steadfast leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly commendable. He has responded to the many challenges that have confronted the Office of Public Safety over the past decade and I wish him well in his future endeavors."

Jankowski was the longest serving director of public safety, health and welfare in Stamford's history.

During Jankowski's tenure, he oversaw many improvements to public safety. He played a role in consolidating the city's six fire departments into one department; advancing fire safety and fire prevention programs; improving staffing and emergency response; deplpying COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts; implementing active assailant/active shooter multi-agency response protocols; and advancing mental health initiatives including adaptive emergency response, and other accomplishments.

Jankowski is a native of New York City and a graduate of New York University and the United States Naval Postgraduate School.

He completed executive education at the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia University, and started his career in public safety in 1986 in New York City. He was appointed as the director of public safety, health and welfare in January 2012.