Board of Police Commissioners

Connecticut State Statute, Ridgefield Town Charter and Ridgefield Town Ordinances charge a Police Commissioner with the following duties and responsibilities:

1. General management and supervision of the Police Department and of the Town property and equipment used in conjunction with the operation of the Department.
2. Sole power of appointment, promotion and termination of Officers and members of the Police Department.
3. Promulation of Rules and Regulations for the Department and may proscribe penalties for the violation of such Rules and Regulations.

In addition to the above, the Police Commission functions as the Town Traffic Authority. As the Traffic Authority, the Commission serves to investigate and answer Police Department and citizen concerns regarding the use of traffic control devices (e.g. Stop Signs, Yield Signs, Traffic Lights) and traffic control issues such as speeding, one-way streets and traffic flow. After investigation of proposals regarding any changes to traffic control devices and traffic control issues (often through the use of professional resources and input by the Chief of Police), the Police Commission analyzes all available information before rendering a decision; decisions are based on a majority vote of Commission members. These decisions are based on consideration of a number of factors including legal liability, State Statutes, potentially unforeseen circumstances and aesthetics.

The Commission, in conjunction with the Chief of Police, establishes performance goals for the Chief on an annual basis and completes a Performance Review based upon the established goals The Chief of Police is a regular attendee at Police Commission meetings and advises the Commission on issues noted above as well as on issues of financial needs and expenditures, personnel needs and manpower deployment. 

Police Commission meetings are held monthly, generally on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Annex (building adjacent to Yanity Gym). The Commission does meet more frequently as the need arises particularly when hiring and promoting Officers. Residents are welcome to attend and to participate in regularly scheduled monthly meetings; please confirm the meeting date and time with the Ridgefield Town Clerk's office at (203) 431-2783. Some meetings (or parts thereof) are held in Executive Session (as allowed by Freedom of Information regulations) on issues concerning hiring, promoting, personnel issues, security-related issues, contract negotiations and pending litigation.

The Police Commission has enjoyed a diversity of background and experience from its members over the years. Currently, the members of the Commission include a local realtor, a Criminal Justice college professor, an accountant, an administrator in a financial institution and a businessman. Police Commissioners serve a four-year term and they elect a Chairman and Secretary among themselves on an annual basis.  

Correspondence to the Police Commission should be addressed as follows:
                             Ridgefield Police Commission
                             Ridgefield Police Department
                             76 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, Ct. 06877

Messages for the Police Commission can be left at: (203) 438-6531, ask for Voice Mail 1049

Police Commission Members:   

John Frey- Chairperson

Isabel Caporale - Secretary

Marcie Coffin

Sharon Dornfeld

Ralph Money