Cheshire Police Add Officer to Force

By the time 2013 rolls in, Vincent Nastri III will be Cheshire's newest certified police officer. The 24-year-old was sworn in Monday at a ceremony at the

"I'm very excited. It's the last step in a long process," Nastri said. "I've always wanted to be a police officer. I've been applying at departments for over a year," he added.

Nastri will begin a 20-week training course at the Connecticut Police Academy in mid-July. "It's a steep learning curve," he said.

Town Manager Michael Milone said Nastri was one of over 300 applicants for the position. He encouraged Nastri to remember that a only small fraction of residents are cynical and skeptical of the police department. "Don't let that affect your job and passion, or what you do," Milone advised. 

Diane Nastri, the recruit's mother, said she's very proud of what her son has accomplished. "I'm trying to separate myself from taking care of him. Now, he's taking care of others," she said.

Nastri was sworn in by retired Probate Judge Ray Voelker who told the crowd the new officer follows in historic footsteps. Voelker said Cheshire soldiers helped General George Washington win the battle of Princeton and Trenton during the Revolutionary War.