Westport Police Department to Promote Two

On Thursday, April 26 the will promote two officers. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 A.M. in the Westport Police Department classroom.

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant:

Sergeant David Farrell was hired in August 2001 and promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2009. Sergeant Farrell is a member of the Westport Police Department Honor Guard, a negotiator with the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team, member of the department’s Crisis Intervention Team, and supervises the Bike Patrol Unit. Sergeant Farrell received a Chief’s Commendation and Lifesaving Award for his role in talking down a distraught individual from the Franklin Street overpass on Interstate 95 in June 2007. He has served on the executive board of the Westport Police Union and Westport Police Benevolent Association and is Chief’s appointee to the department’s Awards Committee.

Sergeant Farrell is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in psychology. He resides in Fairfield with his wife, Alison, and daughters Olivia and Jocelyn.

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant:

Officer Ryan Paulsson was hired in December 2000. Officer Paulsson has been the department’s Bloodhound handler since 2003 and has supervised the K9 Unit since 2010. Officer Paulsson serves as a tactical officer with the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team, member of the Westport Police/Fire Dive-Rescue Team and the Marine Division. He is a certified Law Enforcement instructor in numerous disciplines. Officer Paulsson is a trustee with both the Westport Police Union and the Westport Police Benevolent Association and is the new chairman of the department’s Awards Committee. Officer Paulsson has received numerous department awards, including a Meritorious Police Duty Award for locating an endangered missing person in 2008.

Officer Paulsson is a 1995 graduate of and holds a Bachelors degree in Justice and Law Administration from Western Connecticut State University. He resides in Milford, CT with his wife Jacqie and daughter Emmalyn.