The Seymour Police Department has hired a new patrol officer.
Anthony Renaldi, a Seymour native who currently works as a police officer in Southbury, was unanimously approved by the Board of Police Commissioners Thursday.
Police Chief Michael Metzler said Renaldi was the “perfect candidate” because he’s qualified and ready to start soon.
“He really is a homerun,” Metzler said. “Some of the other candidates we’d have to send to the academy, if there is even a spot. Another guy wouldn’t be ready until next October, or a minimum of nine months at least. Time wise, Renaldi is a homerun because worst case scenario he’ll be on by the end of January.”
Renaldi will make $25.01 an hour.
According to Metzler, Renaldi has already been trained because he is a full-time officer in Southbury.
Metzler said Renaldi should complete the Field Training Officer program within three to four weeks compared to the 10 weeks it might take someone else.
Renaldi’s hiring is conditional, pending the completion of necessary requirements.
Renaldi must successfully complete a variety of mandates, including lie detector tests, health physicals, and psychological tests.
Renaldi, who grew up in Seymour, is the first patrol officer to be hired since last December.
After a detective retired in June, the department has been looking to hire another officer.
Metzler said hiring Renaldi will help the current problem facing the Seymour Police Department: a lack of manpower.
