A New York City native who has worked for the Department of Homeland Security for more than a decade is Ansonia’s newest cop.
James Power, 33, was sworn in by Mayor David Cassetti Wednesday after members of the city’s Police Commission voted unanimously to hire him.
Power said he was drawn to the department because of its team spirit.
“I like the camaraderie here,” he said. “I like how everyone here is tight-knit.”
Power will spend about six months at the police academy before returning to Ansonia for field training for about 13 weeks.
Born and raised in Queens, New York City, he said he plans on moving to East Haven soon.
Power was a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
He dropped out of school to work at Homeland Security, where he has held various positions, including working in behavioral analysis and as a supervisor.
He currently works in the Federal Air Marshal Service.
He completed his college degree while working for Homeland Security, Power said after Wednesday’s meeting.
Police Commission Chairwoman Ann Pitney said she and fellow commissioner Robert Goldson interviewed Power Wednesday and were very impressed.
“I was quite impressed with him,” Goldson said. “He was very composed, and very quick with everything we asked him.”
The position pays about $63,000 per year.
Police Chief Kevin Hale said after the meeting that with Power’s hiring the department is two officers short of its full complement.
But he said he expects a handful of additional retirements in the coming months will necessitate more new hires.
“James puts us two behind, but we expect two to three retirements in the first quarter of 2017, so we’re just continuing the process,” the chief said.
