MONROE, CT — The town recently made two new hires, bringing Police Chief Keith White’s staffing up to full strength with 30 officers. The Monroe Police Department also promoted Capt. Greg Smith to the rank of deputy chief.
While some police departments have multiple captains, Monroe has one captain, who is second in command to the chief.
“The title change grants proper authority to the position and the job tasks being performed,” White said of Smith’s promotion to deputy chief.
The new officers include two veterans of police agencies in Connecticut. Justin Harpe, a New Haven police officer of over six years, and Brian Sharnick, who was a Stratford police officer for six years, and worked for the Amtrak Police Department in Washington D.C. before that.
“We are excited to continue receiving outside interest from officers looking to transfer here to Monroe,” White said. “I am proud that the two new officers decided to join our department. This allows us to remain fully staffed at a time when achieving this is challenging. After a brief field training period, they will join the staff rotation almost immediately.”
Harpe was a member of the New Haven Police Department’s SWAT team and also worked in narcotics. He is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University.
Sharnick was a field training officer and certified instructor in Stratford. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven, as well as a Master’s degree in cyber investigations.
Both officers were sworn in this week with Police Commission Vice Chairman Daniel Hunsberger administering the oaths.
Rooney welcomed the new police officers, who he said will strengthen Monroe’s police presence and increase safety as the town grapples with issues such as speeding and “GPS sending unwanted traffic through neighborhoods,” along with juveniles from surrounding communities coming to steal valuables and vehicles.
The first selectman also said a fully staffed police force will help the town tackle some issues, he said, state legislation has created.
“I welcome our new officers, Justin Harpe and Brian Sharnick, to what I believe, and I’ve heard from many law enforcement agencies across Connecticut, to be one of the finest departments in our state,” Rooney said.
A ceremony held for Smith’s promotion was attended by First Selectman Terry Rooney with Hunsberger administering the oath.
“The Monroe Police Department has a long standing reputation for excellence in the law enforcement community and Greg Smith is part of that ongoing reputation,” Rooney said. “As I spoke with Chief Keith White about this potential rank structure change, it was immediately apparent to me that the title of deputy chief is more fitting for the role Greg Smith holds.”
The first selectman said Smith’s duties are more in alignment with the second in command title of deputy chief. The Town Council agreed, recently voting to approve the title change.
“Deputy Chief Greg Smith is an exemplary officer, respected by his peers and a loved protector of Monroe,” Rooney said. “Congratulations to our new officers and Deputy Chief Greg Smith. Our community deserves a great police department and with Chief Keith White and Deputy Chief Greg Smith, Monroe will be protected by a highly trained, responsive and dedicated leadership structure.”
“It’s a promotion and title change,” Smith said. “My current job responsibilities aren’t changing, but the title is more appropriate for the responsibilities I have for a department of the Monroe Police Department’s size in a modern police agency.”
“I think it’s a good day for the department, because it’s showing that we’re growing and moving in the right direction, which is something we always try to do,” Smith said. “In 10, 15, 20 years, as the town continues to grow, we now have the rank structure in place to accommodate future growth in the department whenever that may happen.”
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