Crime & Safety

James Heavey Sworn In As Deputy Police Chief [Video]

Town native continues rise through ranks of Greenwich Police Department.

Veteran Greenwich Police Capt. James Heavey was sworn in as the department's deputy chief Tuesday evening, completing a restructuring of the department.

The predicted thunderstorms held off, allowing for the ceremony to be held outdoors in front of the Public Safety Complex on Bruce Place where nearly 200 town and state officials, family, friends and colleagues gathered. In a tribute to Heavey's community involvement, members of the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club honor guard participated in the ceremony, presenting Heavey with his gold badge and deputy chief stars.

The 50-year-old Heavey is a lifelong Greenwich resident who began his career with the department as a police dispatcher in 1981. He also worked as a special police officer for four years before he was appointed to the force in 1986.

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Heavey has spent his career in the patrol division of the department and until his appointment by the Board of Selectmen last week, he was commander of that division since 2010 when Chief David Ridberg restructured the department and appointed four captains to lead each departmental division.

Ridberg is expected to retire next year and the new deputy chief is expected to succeed him. Ridberg and First Selectman Peter Tesei administered the oath of office. Heavey's wife Kia, and the couple's two children, Anna, 11, and Jamie, 10, pinned the deputy chief badge and stars to his uniform.

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Heavey said he was honored by the appointment and looked forward to working with his colleagues to continue the progress of improvements in the department.

Heavey was one of three finalists selected for the post. The other finalists were Captains Mark Kordick of the professional standards division and Mark Marino, the detective division commander. They along with Capt. Timothy Berry, head of the department’s operations division, all congratulated Heavey following the half-hour ceremony Tuesday.

Heavey also is a veteran of 20 years service in the Army Reserves, having served in Operation Desert Storm, and recently retired as chief of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Department where he has been a member for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of Northeastern University and last month earned his master's degree in public administration from Bellevue University.

A reception followed at the Greenwich Boat and Yacht Club at Grass Island.


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