Vernon Native Gallant Named New Police Captain

VERNON, CT — The Vernon Town Council Tuesday unanimously approved Mayor Daniel Champagne's appointment of Vernon Police Lt. Lucas Gallant as the next Captain of the Vernon Police Department.

Gallant's appointment left the top two command positions filled by Vernon Natives and Rockville High School graduates. Gallant received his diploma in 1997. New chief John Kelley, a 1991 RHS grad, was elevated to chief from the captain's position on July 6.

Both Kelley and Gallant said it was a thrill to serve their hometowns in the top police positions and added local knowledge has always been a key to police work.

Champagne, a former Vernon police officer himself, said he selected Gallant for the promotion after reviewing his record of service and interviewing him.

"Lt. Gallant has served in a variety of leadership positions with the department and played a key role managing COVID-19 vaccine inventory and operations for our nationally-recognized vaccination program," Champagne said."And that was on top of his work overseeing the Police Department’s Patrol Division."

Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said Gallant has "accrued a record of accomplishment" during his 16 years with the department.

"It’s been gratifying to watch Lt. Gallant advance through the ranks from patrol officer to sergeant and then to lieutenant," Purcaro said. "During that time, he has taken on additional responsibilities and carried them out with great skill and care. I expect that will continue."

Gallant, who had his start in the Vernon Police Explorers program, has led the patrol and detective divisions, and brings "diverse experience" to his new position, Chief Kelley said.

"He’s extremely knowledgeable, well-respected by people in the department as well as the community, and a hard-worker," Kelley said.

Kelley called the RHS angle "purely a coincidence" but the elaborated on the local knowledge factor.

"Luke and I do bring to the table decades of relationships with people in town," Kelley said. "People know us, are comfortable with us and will approach us with their thoughts and concerns. People can also be assured that Vernon is a very important place to both of us."

Gallant received a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph's College in Standish, Maine, and graduated in the top 10 of his class from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy before going to work for the Wells, Maine, Police Department. He served four-and-a half years as an officer in Wells and during that short tenure was honored as officer of the year in 2003.

He applied to and joined the Vernon Police Department in 2005 and has taken on a variety of leadership and management roles as he has advanced through the ranks. Lt. Gallant has received multiple awards and was honored in 2010 as Vernon Police Officer of the Year.

"Being selected to serve my hometown as Captain is an honor," Gallant said. "I look forward to this next phase of my career and working with the chief to lead an outstanding team of law enforcement professionals."