Vernon's New Police Chief Starts His First Day On The Job

VERNON, CT — Marc Petruzzi was sworn in as Vernon's next police chief Monday morning.

Town Clerk Karen Daigle administered the oath of office at Vernon Town Hall amid a packed audience of current and former police officers, friends and family and municipal and state officials.

Petruzzi said it was a "deep honor" not only to be appointed to the job, but to see such a turnout. He considered it a sign of confidence in his career from mentors and colleagues.

"I hope I can live up to the expectations," he said. "I'm looking forward to meeting each and every one of you not only here, but in town."

Petruzzi, 48, is a 22-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police force, where he attained the rank of captain. He is currently the deputy police chief in Wethersfield and has served as the department's second-in-command since September 2022.

Petruzzi, a Glastonbury resident, officially started in Vernon following the oath of office.

With the state police, his duties included serving as a patrol trooper, resident trooper, barracks commander in Colchester and Hartford, internal affairs investigator, chief of staff to the commander of state police administrative services and commander of the labor relations unit.

As captain and now deputy chief in Wethersfield, Petruzzi’s responsibilities include budgeting and fiscal management, evaluation and rewriting of the department’s general orders, introduction of new technology and equipment, hiring, community outreach, internal affairs, training and management of department logistics and strategic planning, officials said.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and master's degree from the University of St. Joseph. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Petruzzi’s appointment followed a multi-step review process that included "town leaders and police chiefs."

There were candidates from Connecticut, across the nation, and Canada.

"I think this is the best police department in the county ... let's up the bar and make it the best department in the state," Petruzzi said of the VPD. "Let's continue to move forward and be the best department we can be."