Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello Announces Retirement — to Leave Feb 15

Darien Police Chief Duane J. Lovello, a 35-year veteran of the Darien Police Department, will retire on Feb 15, 2017.  Lovello notified the Darien Police Commission and First Selectman Jayme Stevenson of his decision earlier this week.

“It’s just time.  I’ve had a career that was challenging, rewarding and fulfilling.  I am going to miss it, but it’s the right time for me to move on.”

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— This announcement is from the Darien Police Department.

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Lovello began his career with the Department in December of 1981.  He was transferred to the Detective Division in October of 1986, and was promoted to sergeant in July of 1993, lieutenant in September 2000 and captain in December 2000.

Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello (file photo)

Upon the retirement of former Chief Hugh McManus, the Darien Police Commission named Lovello Darien’s ninth chief of police. Lovello was sworn into office in March 2005.

His tenure saw much change for the Darien Police Department.

“One of the things that truly sets this Department apart is an enthusiasm for change,” Lovello said. “There’s never a shortage of ideas.  Every chief I’ve served under left this department better than he found it.  I had the privilege to work for three fine individuals — Chief John Jordan, Chief Bruce Anderson, and Chief Hugh McManus, with each imparting skills I tried to emulate.”

Under Lovello, the department became one of the few in the state to achieve Tier II Accreditation and an expanded and thoroughly renovated police facility was constructed.  The school resource officer was implemented and in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, each school campus was assigned a school liaison officer.

Duane Lovello, Darien police chief from 2005 to 2017

The K9 and Traffic divisions were formed, as was the Domestic Violence Unit and Accident Investigation Team.  The Department joined a regional Emergency Response Team, the Youth Bureau was expanded, the Cops and Kids Adventures program began, a public information officer was named and the Department’s table of organization was restructured.

Command level officers are now sent for advanced training, including attendance at the prestigious Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University.  Advances in technology have been embraced by the department and Lovello is proud of the department’s use of social media.

Appointed by Governor Malloy to the Police Officer Standards and Training Council in 2012, he was subsequently appointed as Chairman in 2016.  He currently serves as president of the Fairfield County Chiefs of Police Association and is a past president of the Fairfield County Detectives Conference and the Darien Police Association.

He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven and a law degree from the University of Connecticut; he is a member of the Connecticut Bar and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 215.

The Darien Police Commission will be tasked with naming a successor to Lovello.

“The Town of Darien is very fortunate to have three police commissioners who are fully engaged in ensuring that the town hires and promotes individuals who will move the department forward,” Lovello said.  “Naming my replacement will be no exception.  I’ll leave knowing a great police department is well-positioned for the future.”