Madison Police Department Adds Two Recruits

Two new Police Department recruits were sworn in Friday morning, bringing the department up to its fully authorized staffing for the first time in a very long time.

Alexandra Blackwell and Michael Pugliese, both 23, will spend the next 22 weeks at the Connecticut Police Academy and then another 14 weeks in additional field training in Madison. Acting Chief Robert Nolan told the recruits, their families and friends, and other police officers attending the Friday ceremony, "This brings our department to its full complement of officers. Congratulations and welcome."

Blackwell is a resident of Brewster, New York. She learned of the openings at the Madison Police Department from a friend, a Madison resident who is a police officer in North Branford.

"This is something I've always wanted to do. It's a profession that runs in my family. There are cops and firefighters in my family in Connecticut and New York," she said.

She graduated in May from Manhattanville College with a degree in sociology.

Pugliese is a Bethany resident.

"Being a police officer is something I've wanted to do my entire life. I have friends who are police officers. I know police officers. I listen to their stories. I just know this is something I want to do and Madison is a great place to make that happen," he said.

He graduated in May from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in political science.

First Selectman Al Goldberg congratulated the new officers and said, "You are joining a department with many fine officers and you will be a part of building this department for tomorrow."

Commissioner Garry Gyenizs told the two, "You have a wonderful opportunity now. This is an exciting time to be a part of this department."

Fellow Commissioner Ed Kritzman added, "Thank you for applying. When I see officers such as you I see the building blocks of this department's future."