PCAC Distinguished Chief's Award Dinner
| Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut Meeting May 25, 2011 Zandri’s Stillwater Inn Elections for PCAC Board Members took place, in addition to the following: Honoring the 3 Distinguished Chiefs The Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut was proud to honor three very distinguished and accomplished police chiefs during our May 25, 2011 Distinguished Chiefs Award Dinner at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, Wallingford. The PCAC takes great pride in being able to work with and support the many outstanding members of law enforcement throughout the state. The recognition the Association bestows on the dedicated and selfless individuals who lead our police departments in Connecticut is just a small gesture on the part of the PCAC that cannot properly measure up to the trust and safety they provide for us on a daily, around-the-clock basis. The PCAC would like to express our gratitude for all that the Chiefs and their officers do for our citizens and for our state. The guest speaker for the Awards Ceremony was Attorney General George Jepsen. Attorney General Jepsen stood in for Governor Malloy who, unfortunately, was out of state on official business. Attorney General Jepsen spoke of the dedication of our Chiefs of Police and their officers and staffs, and how they provide a valuable service to all residents of Connecticut.
Receiving the awards of recognition were: Chief Richard Guisti, Sr. of Middlebury, Chief Gary MacNamara of Fairfield, and Chief Murray J. (Bud) Pendleton of Waterford. These three chiefs have exhibited great leadership of their departments and provided exemplary leadership within their communities. Each is a well regarded professional with impressive backgrounds and accomplishments. Middlebury Chief Richard Guisti, Sr. is a founding member of the Middlebury/Southbury Juvenile Review Board, a certified instructor through POST, a graduate of the 216th session of the National FBI Academy, and the 23 year police veteran is currently in the process of leading his department toward national accreditation status. Chief Guisti is a member of several law enforcement associations, to include the FBI National Academy Association; the International Police Chiefs Association; Western Connecticut Police Chiefs Association; and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association. Chief Guisti is also active in his community as an Assistant Coach of the Wilby High School Basketball Team, the Waterbury Boys Traveling Basketball Team, and is active in the Knights of Columbus. Married to Doctor Robin Guisti, they are the proud parents of two sons, Richard, Jr. and Joseph. Fairfield Chief Gary MacNamara is a 23 year veteran of the Fairfield Police Department holding a masters degree in Public Administration, is a graduate of the National FBI Academy in Virginia, and an Adjunct Professor at POST University. Chief MacNamara rose through the ranks and oversaw the operations of Field Services which covered Patrol, Investigations and Special Services. He had also been charged with responsibility for overseeing the Emergency Response Team, Training, Internal Affairs and Hostage Negotiations, among other duties. Chief MacNamara was the lead negotiator during a hostage situation at Fairfield University and negotiated the safe release of 28 total hostages without injury or death. Chief MacNamara is an instructor in several police related fields, and instructed members of the Virginia Tech Law Enforcement Community after the tragic campus incident of several years ago. A former journalist for the Justice Journal, Chief MacNamara has also appeared on NBC Today, Geraldo Show, MSNBC Live, Dateline NBC and the Line-up on Fox News. Chief MacNamara is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Jane Doe No More, and is a member of the White Ribbon Campaign against domestic violence. Waterford Chief Murray J. (Bud) Pendleton is a 43 year law enforcement professional with Waterford, and the Waterford Chief since 1992. Chief Pendleton is a graduate of the National FBI Academy’s 123rd Session, and completed the Law Enforcement Command Training Program at Babson College. Chief Pendleton also holds a degree in Police Science and Administration. Chief Pendleton instituted the Administrative Team Concept to the Waterford Department to advance leadership skills among supervisor of his department. Under Chief Pendleton the Waterford Police Department has made great strides in technological advances including: electronic records management, installation of mobile data terminals in all police vehicles, license plate reader technology and field-based reporting. Chief Pendleton is a member of the Policy Board for the State of Connecticut’s Fusion Center and of numerous steering committees at the Foundation of Enforcement Investigations. Additionally, the Chief is the Town of Waterford’s Director of Emergency Management and in that role he chaired a successful effort to obtain and install a 6.8 million dollar Trunked Radio System. And, not busy enough with all of his other duties, Chief Pendleton is also the Governor Appointed Harbor Master. Chief Pendleton is a member of many different state committees, The IACP, the CPCA, and MADD, just to name a few. Special thanks to the Fairfield Police Honor Guard who opened the evening’s Awards Ceremony by posting the colors.   The Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut Distinguished Chiefs Awards of May, 2011 commenced with the posting of the colors by the Fairfield Police Department Honor Guard.  Reverend Carlton Giles, a Milford Police Commissioner, performed the opening prayers. Standing along side Reverend Giles is President Jill Marcus of Branford, and Sergeant at Arms John Landolfi. Commissioner Landolfi led the gathering of guests and honorees in the pledge of allegiance.  Nominating Committee Chairman, Commissioner Milton Thomas of Stamford presented the new slate of PCAC Officers and Board Members. Commissioner Thomas asked for a vote on the proposed slate from the general membership in attendance and received a unanimous vote of approval. The new slate takes office after a swearing in ceremony at the June PCAC Annual Meeting. The new board members and officers of the board are (L-R): Arthur Hersh (Fairfield); Lisa Yarbor (re-elected, West Haven); Scott Bates (Stonington); Daniel O’Connor (Norwalk); Assistant Treasurer Thomas Heavren (Berlin); President Peter Torrano (Norwalk); Sergeant at Arms John Landolfi (North Branford) and Chairman Jill Marcus (Branford). Missing from the photo due to illness are 1st VP Willie Pabon (New Britain); 2nd VP Christopher Cozzi (away on honeymoon, North Branford); and Treasurer Marvin Gelfand (illness, Easton).  The scheduled speaker for the Distinguished Chiefs Awards was Governor Dannel Malloy. Due to a last minute and regrettable need to be out of the state on official business, Governor Malloy was unable to attend. Standing in admirably for the Governor was Attorney General George Jepsen. Attorney General Jepsen addressed the 155 guests in attendance with laudatory remarks about the three chiefs being honored, and spoke highly of the actions of all police statewide.  The three distinguished chiefs being honored at the PCAC Distinguished Chiefs Dinner Meeting are (L-R) Fairfield Chief Gary MacNamara, Middlebury Chief Richard Guisti, and Waterford Chief Murray J. (Bud) Pendleton.
 First of the chiefs to be presented the PCAC Distinguished Chief Award is Fairfield Chief Gary MacNamara. Fairfield Commissioner Arthur Hersh is shown making the presentation on behalf of the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut.  All three chiefs were awarded with a plaque from the PCAC recognizing their commitment and dedication to their chosen profession. Additionally, each chief received letters of merit from Governor Malloy, the State Legislature and from MADD. Chief MacNamara addresses the gathering of guests after receiving his awards of recognition.  Chief MacNamara had in attendance his wife, Lisa, his children and other family members.  Middlebury Chief Richard Guisti is introduced to the guests on behalf of the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut and is recognized for his many accomplishments by Middlebury Commissioner, Frank Cipriano.  Chief Guisti, after acceptance of his award and certificates of recognition and merit addressed the gathering of guests. Chief Guisti spoke of his respect for his former chief and of his love of and his dedication to his job.  Chief Guisti shared his honored recognition with his wife, Robin, and his two proud sons.  Waterford Distinguished Chief Award Honoree, Chief Murray J. (Bud) Pendleton, is introduced and recognized for his accomplishments by retired Waterford Commissioner Margaret Y. Ormond.  Waterford Commissioner Marge Poulis presents Chief Pendleton with one of many recognitions he received as a Distinguished Chief.  Chief Pendleton addresses the guests after receiving his Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut Distinguished Chief Award and Certificates of Merit. Chief Pendleton spoke of his career and thanked all in attendance for the honor and recognition of his efforts in policing bestowed upon him.  Shown are several of the awards of recognition given to all three deserving chiefs by the PCAC, the Governor, the State House of Representatives and by MADD. |
