Police commissioners approve multiple promotions, detective and training course approvals

The Board of Police Commissioners for Norwalk City voted on Oct. 20 to approve several personnel promotions and to grant course-approval requests for two officers.

The commission approved promotions effective Oct. 23 for Sergeant Michael Sellas (promotion to lieutenant); Detective Lindsey Taylor (promotion to sergeant); Detective Akeem Bryce (promotion to sergeant); Officer Kevin Versace (appointment to detective); and Officer Richard Seitz (appointment to detective). The motions were made from the floor, carried by unanimous voice vote and entered without recorded roll-call counts.

In separate actions the commission granted course-approval requests. Detective Christopher Imperato received approval to take law courses including civil procedure, tort law and a legal-skills course as he pursues a juris doctorate; Officer Jason Luzniak received blanket approval of coursework listed for a Master of Public Administration program at the University of New Haven.

The promotions were presented after the board returned from executive session on personnel. Mayor Rilling announced the board had come out of executive session and then called for motions; each promotion motion was moved, the commission asked for any discussion, heard none, and the body responded “Aye” on each vote. The chief and commissioners offered congratulations to the promoted officers during the public meeting.

Those promotions and course approvals change staffing assignments and duties in the department beginning Oct. 23 and as the approved coursework proceeds. No opposition or abstentions were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The commission did not record specific vote-by-name tallies in the public minutes; motions were adopted by voice vote in open session.