Friends, family, colleagues and peers from nearby departments joined Robert Crosby in the Brubeck Room at the Wilton Library Sept. 22 for his official swearing-in as chief of Wilton police.
Chairman of the Police Commission Chris Weldon was master of ceremonies. He began by welcoming those in attendance and introduced Wilton Police Officer Anna Tornello to sing the
national anthem.
The invocation was given by Fr. Reggie Norman of Our Lady of Fatima, who prayed for a “legion of angels” to protect Crosby and the officers under him while they are busy protecting the citizens
of Wilton.
There also was First Selectman Bill Brennan, who made remarks.
“Bob started out as an officer in the town of Wilton, and as two previous — in my memory — police chiefs: they also started as officers, and worked their way up through every rank in our police department. This is the third chief in a row that has been elected through that process. That is a great compliment to the town of Wilton and to these individuals, but more importantly, it’s an inspiration to all the young officers that are in our department.
“The town of Wilton is in good hands with Chief Robert Crosby,” Brennan said.
Weldon returned to the dais to install Crosby.
“It is with great pride that I present to you Chief Crosby,” he said, “and I look forward to his tenure as the next, and the sixth, Wilton police chief.”
He summoned Town Clerk Lori Kaback to the stage for the oath of office.
Standing by were Crosby’s wife Meg and his two sons, Bobby and Brian. Meg pinned her husband’s new badge to the breast of his uniform.
Crosby embraced each member of his family and
then spoke.
“When I was a young patrol officer in Wilton back in the early 80s, I had an aspiration to become chief of police, and I wanted to become chief of police here in Wilton, because when I start things, I like to finish them,” Crosby said.
“During my career, I worked with four different chiefs of police. I noticed what they did well, and then some things they didn’t do so well, so I’m hoping to take what they did well, and use that to help the young department we have now. We have 26 patrol officers, and 12 of them have less than two years on the job right now, so 50% of our patrol division has under two years. That’s a big responsibility for myself and all the supervisors I have here with me. But to do that, we need to have the same vision. That’s what we work towards. I meet with the staff all the time, and we try to get the same vision out to the patrol officers. If we have the same vision, it makes it easy to get the job done,” he said.
Crosby thanked his wife, children, fellow officers, the Police Commission and the town for their support, his parents who surprised him by being present, Peg Koellmer of Realty Seven for supplying the food, Wilton Library for the use of the Brubeck Room, and Capt. John Lynch for organizing the event.
“It’s a night I’ll never forget,” Crosby said to a standing ovation.