Chief Narowski upon being sworn-in as chief in 2010.
DERBY — Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski is scheduled to retire in May 2023, after some 35 years as a police officer in the city.
The chief gave an informal notice to Mayor Rich Dziekan last week. Narowski said he was planning to tell the Derby Board of Police Commissioners of his plan at the next meeting.
In an email, Narowski said he is opting to give a long notice so that a transition can take place. It is a complicated time for the Derby Police Department, as a growing number of officers are opting to retire.
Narowski, a U.S. Army veteran, officially became the 13th chief of the department on Oct. 12, 2010 after the retirement of Chief Eugene Mascolo.
Narowski started at the department as a supernumerary patrol officer in 1987. He moved up the ranks to a regular patrol officer, detective, detective sergeant, and deputy chief.
Narowski grew up in Derby, and attended St. Michael’s School and then Derby High School.
He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven, and his masters in forensic science from the same university.
He and his wife, Lisa, have three daughters.
It’s been a tough few years for law enforcement, a combination of the unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the erosion of public trust in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
Floyd’s murder contributed to social unrest and protests across the country. However, protests against police brutality in the Naugatuck Valley were peaceful, including a large protest (under police supervision and in which Shelton police marched in unison with the crowd) that closed the Derby-Shelton bridge in June 2020.
Narowski has spent a good chunk of this time since 2020 getting to know the “police accountability bill” passed by lawmakers in 2020. Narowski, whose job includes drafting a budget for the Derby Police Department each year, has criticized the law for its cost and potential lack of effectiveness.
Mayor Richard Dziekan confirmed Wednesday that the chief said he plans on retiring next year.
“I grew up with Chief Narowski as kids. We both joined the military and we both became Police Officers and served our communities. It was an honor for the last 4 1/2 years to work side-by-side with Chief Narowski. I thank him for his commitment and dedication to serve and protect the citizens of DERBY for over 34 years. I wish the Chief and his family the best of health and happiness in his retirement and his future endeavors,” Dziekan said in an email.
In Derby, the deputy chief becomes chief when the chief leaves. That means next in line is Scott Todd, a veteran officer.
“As for his replacement, it is per the charter next in line which would be Deputy Chief Scott Todd. I will have a meeting with him shortly to talk about his vision for the future of DERBY and protection of our citizens. I have total confidence in Deputy Chief Todd to be the next leader of the Derby Police Department,” Dziekan said.
Narowski is the third police chief in the lower Naugatuck Valley to retire since mid-2021.
Ansonia Police Chief Andrew Cota retired in August 2021 after Kevin Hale retired as Ansonia police chief in 2019. Hale had been chief for 18 years. Wayne Williams was named Ansonia police chief in February.
In Seymour, police Chief Paul Satkowski retired at the end of 2021. He had been chief since 2018, replacing Chief Michael Metzler, who had the position for 42 years. John Bucherati became Seymour police chief on Jan. 1 of this year.
