3 Trumbull Police Officers Receive Promotions

TRUMBULL, CT — Three veteran Trumbull police officers were recently promoted to new ranks during a small ceremony at police headquarters.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Weir said the ceremony marked some of the department's first promotions in over three years.

The newly promoted officers include Capt. Anthony Lopes, Lt. Paul Driscoll and Sgt. Quinn Gagstetter, who will all take on their new assignments starting this week, Weir said.

Lopes started his career with Trumbull police in October 2006 and has held a variety of assignments since that time. Most recently, he was working as a lieutenant for administrative services where he was primarily responsible for facilities and fleet management, the Records Division and financial matters including budget preparation.

Lopes previously served in various roles, including patrol shift supervisor and quartermaster in the Support Services Division. He is also the commanding officer for the department's Dive Team, according to Weir.

Lopes holds a bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University. As of May 1, he will have responsibility for all uniformed operations, Weir said.

Driscoll was hired by Trumbull police in March 2001 and spent much of his career in the Patrol Division, including an assignment as a rider with the Traffic Division's motorcycle unit. He also worked in the department's Detective Division for a period of time, Weir said.

Driscoll holds two bachelor's degrees from Westfield State College. He will be taking over as the midnight shift commander in the Patrol Division starting in May, Weir said.

Gagstetter has been with the Trumbull Police Department since October 2016, where he has served as a patrol officer and member of the department's Dive Team and Honor Guard unit.

During his graduation from the Milford Police Academy in 2016, he received several awards for high academic achievement, as well as exceptional proficiency in practical skills training, Weir said. Since that time, he has earned several department service awards, including two for life-saving incidents.

Gagstetter previously served with the U.S. Coast Guard and is still an active member with the USCG Reserve Unit in New Haven. He is also working toward a degree at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

Beginning in early May, Gagstetter will be assigned as a supervisor in the Patrol Division.

According to Weir, the department has been struggling with a shortage of personnel, primarily due to numerous resignations plus "a severely diminished applicant pool which has limited the
ability of the agency to replace those officers in a timely manner."

Last year, the department lost a significant number of personnel, which included three retirements and ten resignations. During that same time, seven recruits were hired, but most of them are still in the police academy and field training and will not be available to work independently until the end of 2023, Weir said.

"The Trumbull Police Department continues to recruit and hire officer candidates to fill twelve vacancies in an attempt to regain the authorized strength of 82 officers, Weir said in a news release. "Significant monetary incentives are being offered for certified applicants, but everyone is encouraged to apply."