Greenwich Police Hire 3 New Officers

Photos: #1: Probationary Greenwich Police Officers, from left, Fred Reisch, Stephen Podmokly and Micah Barnes; #2: Chief James Heavey, Officer William Griffin and Micah Barnes; #3: Stephen Podmokly is sworn in by Police Commissioner Peter Tesei; #4: Podmokly is presented his badge by Heavey; #5: Fred Reisch is sworn in by Tesei. Credits: Barbara Heins.

The ranks of Greenwich Police grew by three on Wednesday with the swearing in of three probationary officers at a Town Hall ceremony attended by dozens of family members, friends and colleagues.

The trio begins six months of training at the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden on New Year’s Eve.

Police Chief James Heavey said, “It was not a short trip to arrive here,” before listing the series of tests ranging from written, verbal, physical agility and psychological to background checks, the men successfully completed. “We dig deep to make sure we get the best and the brightest,” Heavey said.

According to Heavey, the appointment of Micah Barnes, Stephen Podmokly and Fred Reisch, brings the department to its authorized strength of 155 officers. But not for long. Heavey said he anticipates three senior officers to retire during the first quarter of 2016.

Before administering the oath of office, First Selectman Peter Tesei, who also serves as the town’s Police Commissioner, welcomed the new officers to the department “that enjoys a wonderful reputation of a department that goes the extra mile” to help residents. He added, “I am glad to be here to launch your career here.”

Micah Barnes

He graduated Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Barnes worked as a security supervisor at the new World Trade Center and before that spent nine years as an insurance and investment advisor.

Barnes thanked his family and friends for their support, including his three-year-old daughter Savannah, his fiance Michelle Medina, and his best friend of 24 years, William Griffin, a Wellesley, MA police officer who presented Barnes with his new badge.

“This really is a blessing. Thank you for this opportunity,” Barnes said.

Stephen Podmokly

The New Jersey native came to Connecticut to attend Sacred Heart University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. While attending Sacred Heart, he completed an internship with the Bridgeport Police Department where he worked with detectives, patrol officers, the Emergency Services Unit and the Marine Unit. Before his appointment, Podmokly owned a landscaping business. He also is certified by the Emergency Management Institute.

“I couldn’t be happier. It took a while but it was worth the wait,” Podmokly said of his appointment.

Fred Reisch

Reisch grew up in Norwalk where he graduated from Norwalk High School. After graduating with a criminal justice degree from Plymouth State University, he was a therapist for the Institute of Professional Practice working with autistic students. Reisch also worked as a mental health worker for Boys and Girls Village working with children with behavioral disorders. He also is a certified EMT.

Reisch thanked his family and friends for their support and said, “I’m incredibly excited to begin my journey as a Greenwich Police officer.”

His 90-year-old grandmother, Esther Reisch, described herself as “a proud grandmother. He’s named after his grandfather who passed away 27 years ago today. This is what he wanted all his life. This is where he wanted to be.”

When the officers complete the academy training, they will return to Greenwich and undergo three months of field training with a senior officer before they are assigned to solo road patrols.