Norwalk Police Union

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Norwalk Police Union The official page of the Norwalk Police Union, AFSCME Local 1727. President: LT. David O’Connor
Vice-President: Sgt. James Mosher
Executive Board: Sgt.

Robert Zwillich
Secretary: Officer Michael Sellas
Treasurer: Sgt. Kevin Markert, Officer David Peterson, Officer Kim Prada
Trustees: Sgt. Nate Paulino, Sgt. Tomasz Podgorski Officer Daniel Sefcik

09/24/2026

Officer Corey Auten has been selected as one of our three Officers of the Month for August 2026, in recognition of his heroic actions when responding to a train strike involving a pedestrian.

On Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, at approximately 8:09 PM, Norwalk Combined Dispatch (NCD) assigned units to a report of a person struck by a train in the area of Glover Avenue. While en route, other responding officers and dispatch provided several updated locations for the train strike. Dispatch advised that it was not, in fact, on Glover Avenue, but in the area of Perry Avenue and Pearl Street, closer to The Watershed (Hotel), 353 Main Avenue.

The location was eventually determined to be at the rear of The Watershed, on the Main Avenue side of the river, on the bridge span. It was soon confirmed that there were, in fact, three persons walking on the track, and that one was struck by the train. The juvenile male who was struck was underneath the train on the edge of the span that crossed over the river.

Sergeant John Taranto and Officers Francois Van Rensburg and Corey Auten made contact with the gravely injured juvenile underneath the train and began life-saving measures, including CPR. The officers were on an elevated section of the tracks, with a high risk of falls and serious injury. In several spots, only the tracks and railroad ties lay beneath the officers, with nothing to prevent them from plummeting some 30 feet to the rocks and river below. The male was eventually removed from underneath the train on a Reeves stretcher and transported to Norwalk Hospital. Despite the officers’ best efforts, the juvenile later died at Norwalk Hospital.

Sergeant Joseph Moquin and Officer Steven Anuszkiewicz also placed themselves in danger of serious physical injury on the span to assist the aforementioned officers with equipment and communications needs.

09/24/2026

Officer Francois Van Rensburg has been selected as one of our three Officers of the Month for August 2026, in recognition of his heroic actions when responding to a train strike involving a pedestrian.

On Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, at approximately 8:09 PM, Norwalk Combined Dispatch (NCD) assigned units to a report of a person struck by a train in the area of Glover Avenue. While en route, other responding officers and dispatch provided several updated locations for the train strike. Dispatch advised that it was not, in fact, on Glover Avenue, but in the area of Perry Avenue and Pearl Street, closer to The Watershed (Hotel), 353 Main Avenue.

The location was eventually determined to be at the rear of The Watershed, on the Main Avenue side of the river, on the bridge span. It was soon confirmed that there were, in fact, three persons walking on the track, and that one was struck by the train. The juvenile male who was struck was underneath the train on the edge of the span that crossed over the river.

Sergeant John Taranto and Officers Francois Van Rensburg and Corey Auten made contact with the gravely injured juvenile underneath the train and began life-saving measures, including CPR. The officers were on an elevated section of the tracks, with a high risk of falls and serious injury. In several spots, only the tracks and railroad ties lay beneath the officers, with nothing to prevent them from plummeting some 30 feet to the rocks and river below. The male was eventually removed from underneath the train on a Reeves stretcher and transported to Norwalk Hospital. Despite the officers’ best efforts, the juvenile later died at Norwalk Hospital.

Sergeant Joseph Moquin and Officer Steven Anuszkiewicz also placed themselves in danger of serious physical injury on the span to assist the aforementioned officers with equipment and communications needs.

09/24/2026

Sergeant John Taranto has been selected as one of our three Officers of the Month for August 2026, in recognition of his heroic actions when responding to a train strike involving a pedestrian.

On Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, at approximately 8:09 PM, Norwalk Combined Dispatch (NCD) assigned units to a report of a person struck by a train in the area of Glover Avenue. While en route, other responding officers and dispatch provided several updated locations for the train strike. Dispatch advised that it was not, in fact, on Glover Avenue, but in the area of Perry Avenue and Pearl Street, closer to The Watershed (Hotel), 353 Main Avenue.

The location was eventually determined to be at the rear of The Watershed, on the Main Avenue side of the river, on the bridge span. It was soon confirmed that there were, in fact, three persons walking on the track, and that one was struck by the train. The juvenile male who was struck was underneath the train on the edge of the span that crossed over the river.

Sergeant John Taranto and Officers Francois Van Rensburg and Corey Auten made contact with the gravely injured juvenile underneath the train and began life-saving measures, including CPR. The officers were on an elevated section of the tracks, with a high risk of falls and serious injury. In several spots, only the tracks and railroad ties lay beneath the officers, with nothing to prevent them from plummeting some 30 feet to the rocks and river below. The male was eventually removed from underneath the train on a Reeves stretcher and transported to Norwalk Hospital. Despite the officers’ best efforts, the juvenile later died at Norwalk Hospital.

Sergeant Joseph Moquin and Officer Steven Anuszkiewicz also placed themselves in danger of serious physical injury on the span to assist the aforementioned officers with equipment and communications needs.

09/09/2026

Police said he retired this month after proudly and faithfully serving the Norwalk Police Department for 27 years. | Link in comments ⬇️

09/07/2026

After proudly and faithfully serving the Norwalk Police Department for 27 years, Detective Courtney Downer retired on September 1, 2026, after a successful career.

On February 25, 1999, Detective Courtney Downer became a sworn member of the Norwalk Police Department. Throughout his professional and dedicated career, he served in several divisions, including the Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau. He was promoted to Detective in 2014.

During his career, Courtney was honored for his excellent police work. He received a Unit Citation and a Meritorious Commendation for his exemplary work in helping to bring a successful close and capture of a male suspect accused of assault and in possession of a fi***rm. He was recognized for his dedication, diligence, and swiftness in resolving a case of very serious magnitude and in preventing further gun violence.

Detective Downer received numerous letters from Norwalk citizens and from outside organizations in recognition of his professionalism, dedication, and compassion throughout his career.

We want to thank Courtney for his loyal service, which helped make our department and the City of Norwalk a better place for us all. Please join us in wishing Courtney the best in his retirement.

08/01/2026

After 25 years of dedicated service to the Norwalk Police Department, Officer Corey Vento has retired, marking the end of an outstanding career defined by professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to our community.

Officer Vento was sworn in on November 27, 2000, and proudly served in several assignments throughout his career, including the Patrol and Training Divisions. He was also a valued member of the Norwalk Police Department’s Tactical Response Team for many years. Prior to joining the department, Corey honorably served our nation in the United States Marine Corps.

Throughout his career, Officer Vento earned numerous commendations recognizing his exceptional police work, including a Distinguished Service Award for his role in the successful apprehension of three armed individuals with extensive criminal history who were in possession of narcotics and fi***rms. He also received countless letters from community members and outside organizations praising his professionalism, compassion, and dedication to public service.

We express our sincere gratitude to Officer Vento for his 25 years of faithful service and the lasting impact he has had on the Norwalk Police Department and the City of Norwalk. His dedication has helped make our community safer and better.

Please join us in congratulating Corey on his well-earned retirement and in wishing him and his family all the best in this next chapter. Thank you for your service!

06/13/2026

MULTIPLE ARRESTS MADE IN JOINT UNDERCOVER OPERATION TARGETING ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Norwalk Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, in partnership with the Stamford Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), concluded a multi-agency undercover operation targeting individuals seeking to engage in sexual activity with minors. During the investigation, detectives from the Norwalk Police SVU posted advertisements on dating websites and social media platforms. Undercover officers posed as 15-year-old males and females. As a result of the operation, the following individuals were arrested and charged:

Arrested:

Detroja Kabhi, 23, of 10 Coleman Street, West Haven, CT
- Criminal Attempt at Risk of Injury – Sexual Contact w/Victim Under 16
- Criminal Attempt at Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor
- Criminal Attempt at Sexual Assault 2nd

Giys Jbeili, 34, of 694 New Haven Ave, Milford, CT
- Criminal Attempt at Risk of Injury – Sexual Contact w/Victim Under 16
- Criminal Attempt at Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor
- Criminal Attempt at Sexual Assault 2nd

Jonathan Celis-Hernandez, 39, of 48 ½ Elmwood Ave, Norwalk, CT
- Criminal Attempt at Risk of Injury – Sexual Contact w/Victim Under 16
- Criminal Attempt at Sexual Assault 2nd

Luis Figueroa, 38, of 50 Woodward Ave, Norwalk, CT
- Criminal Attempt at Risk of Injury – Sexual Contact w/Victim Under 16
- Criminal Attempt at Sexual Assault 2nd

*Additional arrests may follow as the investigation continues.

Bond: All four individuals were held on a $500,000 bond.

Court: All four are scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on June 26, 2026.

06/12/2026

Congratulations to Officer Brian Deak, who has been selected as Officer of the Month for May 2026.  Officer Deak was recognized for his outstanding efforts while assigned to the Complaint Bureau, making astonishing strides and improvements in how the division operates and performs in warrant service, organization, and the inventory of current and old warrants.
 
When assigned to the Complaint Bureau in 2023, the Complaint Bureau had well in excess of 600 hard-copy arrest warrants. Officer Deak began the task of reviewing and liaising with the Prosecutors’ office in Stamford, GA 1, to determine the status of each warrant for further prosecution or to have it administratively vacated for a minor offense. He also began the process of having many people surrender on minor offenses, in which the warrants had been idle for a long time. He also coordinated with other divisions for the arrest of individuals wanted on domestic violence charges and other serious crimes.  As of May 2026, only 300 hard-copy warrants remain in our inventory.
 
In addition to the ongoing administration of our hard-copy warrants system, Officer Deak has taken on the responsibilities of the department’s COLLECT validation officer and performs monthly validations of our warrant system required by the NCIC/COLLECT system administrators. He has modernized our PRAWN paperless rearrest warrant system by entering notes and warrants into the software electronically, replacing old handwritten logs and notes, and making the administration of warrants more efficient.
 
Officer Deak, a seasoned veteran officer, has taken on the role of Complaint Bureau officer with professionalism and dedication and has modernized the department’s warrant system.

05/19/2026

Congratulations to Detective Christopher Imparato, who has been selected as Officer of the Month for April for his actions on April 5, 2026, while working in the Combined Dispatch Center.

Detective Imparato was working as a Dispatch Supervisor hire. While in Dispatch, Officers alerted Dispatchers that a suicidal male was unable to be located at his residence or in the immediate area. While Officers requested a ping of the prepaid cell phone with an unknown carrier, Dispatchers worked to identify what vehicle the male was travelling in. Detective Imparato called the male who picked up the phone and spoke with him for nearly fifteen minutes. Detective Imparato took the time to listen to his struggles with mental health and addiction. He compassionately reassured the male that Police intervention can facilitate his access to support services and would not lead to an arrest.

Due to Detective Imparato’s support, the male eventually gave his location as the fourth floor of the Yankee Doodle Garage where he intended to jump to his death. The male was intoxicated and had been using co***ne to work up the nerve to jump. Patrol Officers were able to locate the male safely and connect him with medical care.

The successful resolution of this incident was a result of Detective Imparato’s calm and supportive approach that helped keep the man alive and provided him with an opportunity to receive assistance. Detective Imparato intervened at a critical time with an abundance of patience and understanding which saved the male’s life.

04/22/2026

Congratulations to Officer Richard Holmes, who has been selected as Officer of the Month for March for his actions on March 13, 2026, while assigned as a Task Force Officer with the United States Marshals Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force.

On that date, Officer Holmes, along with task force members, conducted an operation to apprehend an individual wanted on an active arrest warrant for murder out of New York. Officers located the individual inside a residence in Waterbury, along with two young juveniles. During the incident, the suspect brought the juveniles onto the porch while officers were attempting to have him surrender. At one point, the suspect re-entered the home, leaving the juveniles outside. Officer Holmes immediately positioned himself between the suspect and the juveniles, allowing other officers to safely move the children away from the area. The suspect was then taken into custody without incident.

Officer Holmes’s initiative, quick thinking, and leadership helped ensure the safety of the juveniles and contributed to the successful apprehension of a dangerous fugitive without the use of force and without injury.

The Norwalk Police Department commends Officer Holmes for his outstanding work and continued dedication to public safety.

Address

1 Monroe Street
Norwalk, CT
06854

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Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

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+12038543074

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