Conn. Police Department Promotes 11 Officers, Most in Nearly 20 Years

STAMFORD, CT—Eleven city police officers were promoted last week, the most such promotions in a single day in nearly 20 years.

In total, two officers were raised to the rank of captain, five officers were promoted to lieutenant and six were granted the rank of sergeant.

"These promotions will play an important role as we continue to move forward with our community-driven vision. We are proud of all their previous successes and cannot wait to see what they do in the future with their new role(s)," said Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw.

Christopher Baker, a 23-year police veteran, and Michael Noto, a 27-year veteran, were both promoted to captain, in part for their highly decorated careers with the department, Shaw said.

Baker started as a patrol officer before joining the Narcotics and Organized Crime unit and the department's Special Response Team.

Noto has spent a majority of his time in the Patrol Division, though he has also served as commander of the Major Crimes Unit. He most recently served as commander of the Internal Affairs Division.

New to the rank of lieutenant are Richard Gasparino, Brendan Phillips, Jerry Junes and Seth O'Brien.

Gasparino, who has been with the department for 22 years, served in the Patrol Division for four years before switching to the Narcotics and Organized Crime unit. He is the department's first-ever recipient of the Purple Heart Accommodation, which he received after he was shot in the face while executing a search warrant in 2010.

Phillips was hired in 2006, and has served primarily in the Narcotics and Organized Crime squad. He is also a team leader for the department's Special Response Team.

Hired in 2001, Junes has served all around the Stamford Police Department with stints in the Patrol Division, Major Crimes Unit and the Community Policing Unit. In addition to serving as a school resource officer and a member of the department's Honor Guard, Junes currently serves in the Family Services/Youth Division.

O'Brien, an 18-year member of the department, has served as a supervisor in the Narcotics and Organized Crime unit and also serves as K9 unit trainer for Stamford.

Damien Rosa, Norris Clark, Cory Caserta, Frank Laccona and John Derisme were promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Rosa, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been with the Stamford Police Department since 2013. He serves as a member of the Major Crimes Unit, the Special Response Team, the Community Outreach Program and the Honor Guard.

Clark, hired in 2004, served a majority of his time in the department's Patrol Division before being assigned to the Property Crimes Unit, the Youth Bureau and the field training division. He is also a member of the department's motorcycle unit.

Caserta, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Stamford officer since 1997, served in the Patrol Division before moving to the Identification Bureau and Crime Scene Unit, where he's worked for the past 22 years.

Laccona, a longtime member of the department's Major Crimes Unit, is a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team and a Police Officer Standards and Training-certified instructor. He's been with the department since 1996.

Derisme, who is going on seven years in the department, is a member of the department's the Community Outreach Program, Special Response Team and the Overdose Response Team. He is also a field training officer for the department.

Mayor Caroline Simmons congratulated the 11 officers before swearing them in to their new positions during a ceremony on Sept. 28.

"These officers have served our city for decades and their dedication and commitment to their work, as well as to our community, is commendable and an example for us all. I know they will continue to serve our city with honor and bravery, as do all the hardworking men and women of the Stamford Police Department, who are one of the reasons our city remains one of the safest cities in New England," Simmons said.

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