Middletown Police Department Honors Achievements

In a ceremony held at Town Hall Tuesday night, the honored new probationary officers, those receiving promotions, higher ranks, and noted for other achievements, and three officers who retire this year.

Lt. Robert S. Nutt, a 20-year veteran of the Middletown Police Department, graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy in Quantico, VA on Dec. 10, 2010. The professional 10-week course serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies across the United States and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge and cooperation worldwide.

Detective Lt. John Gatta, of Portsmouth, has served on the Middletown Police Department for 23 years in a variety of roles including field training officer, patrol sergeant, and detective lieutenant. He was one of the department's original SWAT team members, as well as a motor officer.

Lieutenant Kelly A. Mitchell, of Middletown, retires after 22 years of service. Lt. Mitchell has been the recipient of numerous letters of commendation from the public and was previously assigned to the Detective Division, Community Policing Unit, and she served as patrol commander for the 4 p.m. to midnight shift.

Det. William F. Macioci, of Middletown, retires after 22 years with the Middletown Police Department, notably having served on the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force and participated in the investigation of high profile drug cases around the state. He was also an original member of the SWAT team and instructor for the RIMPA basic police motorcycle operator's course.

Detective Abel G. Fernandes, of Portsmouth, retires after 23 years of service, having worked in numerous roles. As a patrol officer, he worked as a department instructor in defensive tactics. He also served in the Detective Division as a juvenile officer and as liaison to the town's Juvenile Hearing Board. He has received numerous letters of public commendations throughout the years.

Officer Ferenc Karoly, a six-year veteran of the department, was promoted to the rank of sergeant, having previously served as a patrol officer, field training officer and range officer.

Officer Jason Ryan, a five-year veteran of the department, was promoted to the rank of detective, having previously served as a patrol officer, an advanced accident reconstruction specialist, standardized field sobriety test instructor and department motor officer. He also teaches internet safety to high school students.

Sgt. John Dring, an 18-year veteran of the department, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, having previously served as court officer for the Detective Division and currently assigned as Detective Commander to supervise the Detective Division.

Sgt. Frank Lema, a 20-year veteran of the department, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, having previously served in a variety of roles including as Field Training officer and certified motorcycle operator. Lt. Lema is assigned as the Patrol Commander for the early shift.

The following graduates of the June 25, 2010 Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy were recognized in a badge-pinning ceremony:

• Probationary Officer Anthony Porrazzo
• Probationary Officer Benjamin Costa
• Probationary Officer Geoffrey Dellefrate 
• Probationary Officer Timohty M. Kendrick