West Haven PD Veteran Sworn In As New Deputy Chief

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — Capt. Joseph Romano was sworn in as the West Haven Police Department’s new deputy chief Tuesday night.

Romano, a 23-year veteran of WHPD, was administered the oath of office by Chief Joseph S. Perno during a promotional ceremony attended by Mayor Dorinda Borer, family members, friends, fellow officers and police commissioners in the department’s community room.

Borer congratulated and commended Romano, who was hired by the department in September 2002.

“Deputy Chief Romano has served throughout the ranks and years in West Haven with integrity, a high standard of conduct, determination and hard work,” Borer said. “I have the utmost confidence in his ability to serve in this critical capacity. I know that under the leadership of Chief Perno, they will make a great team in providing strategic vision, embracing the ever-changing public safety landscape, and doing everything they can to keep the residents and the men and women of the force safe.”

Perno added, “I look forward to working with Joe to keep the department moving forward.”

At the ceremony, Romano’s wife, Grace, looked on with great pride as their 13-year-old daughter, Valentina, pinned a deputy chief badge on her father to mark his promotion.

Romano, 47, has led a distinguished and decorated career, rising through the ranks of patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant and captain to his current position.

In his former post as captain of the patrol division, Romano supervised five lieutenants, 11 sergeants, 45 police officers and five animal control officers.

He was instrumental in implementing the department’s Body-Worn Camera Program, which has increased accountability and significantly reduced civilian complaints.

Under Romano’s leadership, WHPD achieved all three tiers of state accreditation through the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, demonstrating the department’s commitment to excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

He also collaborated with the city corporation counsel’s office to develop and implement quality-of-life ordinances and secured a $250,000 state grant to purchase body-worn camera equipment, including dash cameras for police vehicles.

Romano is a graduate of Charter Oak State College and a veteran of the Army, serving as a sergeant in the Korean Demilitarized Zone during a yearlong active-duty deployment.