Police Swear in Newly Promoted Lieutenant, Sergeant

, Lt. Richard Robinson and Sgt. Stephen Santucci officially were sworn into their new positions during a ceremony at the Tuesday night.

Robinson, 43, who grew up in Bethel and has 13 years of experience in Newtown, attended the ceremony with his parents, wife, Kim, and their two children, Junelise and Piper. Robinson will be the department's third lieutenant, a new position designed to bolster the ranks of commanders in the department. The Police Commission approved the plan last year.

Following a decision made about a week ago, Robinson will become the department's so-called "technical services lieutenant," which would include oversight of the detective bureau and give him Monday through Friday hours, with an evening shift rotation along with the two other lieutenants, he said.

Lt. George Sinko, the most veteran commanding officer of the three, will be in charge of operations and patrol while Lt. Chris Vanghele, who was , will be the administrative lieutenant.

Santucci, 35, a Wallingford native who has 11 years of police experience, will replace the sergeant spot left open by Robinson's promotion. He will join five other sergeants as part of the town's patrol force. The department has a seventh sergeant primarily responsible for administrative duties.

The reorganization begun after a sergeant position was left unfilled last year following the resignation of Dominic Costello, who, along with another former officer, is facing .

Kehoe had said he and others determined that two lieutenants, one captain and a chief was not enough to oversee the department's 42 other sworn personnel.