On Thursday Greenwich Police Chief Heavey nominated Captain Mark Zuccerella for consideration by the Board of Selectmen to be promoted to Deputy Chief.
The position becameopen earlier this month when Deputy Chief Robert Berry left to take a job as Chief of Police for Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
Chief Heavey said it had not been easy to select from both internal and external candidates.
Camillo said he and the town administrator had sat in on the interviews with Human Resources, Chief Heavey and Deputy Chief Kraig Gray.
“I’ve known Mark for many years and his family for many years – always a great guy and his family and friends are very proud of him,” Camillo said.
Democratic Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said she fully endorsed Mr. Zuccerella, but abstained from the vote, noting that neither she nor Selectwoman Lauren Rabin had been included in the interview process.
“I’m thrilled Greenwich has someone as qualified as Mark Zuccerella, but, going forward, definitely, all three of us should be included in the interview process,” she said, noting that the Board of Selectmen served as the Police Commission.
Chief Heavey disagreed, noting that had not been procedure in the past, and that Captain Zuccerella was the third person he’d appointed Deputy Chief. Previously he appointed DC Marino and DC Gray.
He said in the past nominees nominees for Deputy Chief had been recommended to the Board of Selectmen in their role as the Commission of Police, by the Chief of Police.
“I’ll defer to the law department going forward,” Heavey said.
Camillo said the language of the charter could be interpreted in more than one way, and that it might be wise to codify the practice.
Zuccerella is originally from Greenwich, where he attended St Mary’s High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Sacred Heart University and a Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Development and Administration for Barry University.
He was a police officer in Florida before returning to Greenwich.
Zuccerella became a Greenwich Police officer in September 1999. He has been a Patrol Officer, Master Police Officer, Community Impact Officer, and Detective. In 2008 he was promoted to Sergeant and served in both the patrol and detective division in various specialty units.
He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2017 and served as a Platoon Shift Commander in the Patrol Division and as the Detective Division Executive Officer and Public Information Officer.
During his career, Zuccerella was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the Dr. John Clarke Award, Officer of the Year, multiple Chief Commendations, unit citations, and investigator ribbons.
In August 2020, Zuccerella was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain.
On Thursday, DC Zuccerella said he was honored by the promotion.
“Thank you for the confidence in allowing me to become the next DC of the Police Dept, and it will be my continued honor to serve in whatever the will and pleasure is of the Town of Greenwich, its residents and visitors,” Zuccerella said.