West Hartford Police held a swearing-in and promotion ceremony on Aug. 19, 2025.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department welcomed two experienced officers to its ranks and celebrated a promotion at a ceremony in Town Council Chambers on Aug. 19 attended by family, friends, and other department members as well as town staff and officials.

Det. Victoria Teeter was pinned by her husband, West Hartford Police Department Sgt. Andrew Teeter, and administered the oath of office by Town Manager Rick Ledwith.

Ledwith also swore in Ofc. Jean Fede and Ofc. Mateusz “Matt” Sokolowski, both of whom are joining the West Hartford Police Department from other law enforcement agencies.

“Today is a special occasion, as we recognize several important milestones within our police department,” said Ledwith, who also shared a welcome and congratulations from Mayor Shari Cantor who was out of town and unable to attend.

The promotion of Teeter is even more meaningful, Ledwith said, because her husband, Sgt. Andrew Teeter, was recently promoted, “a wonderful reflection of dedication and service that runs deep in their family.”

“Choosing a career in law enforcement is no small decision,” Ledwith said to the two new officers. “It is a calling that requires courage, compassion, and a non-wavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our community,” he said. “We are fortunate to have you both join our team and to bring your talents and energy to our town.”

The police department is vital to the fabric of the town, Ledwith said, providing safety, security, reassurance, and a steadfast presence. “Their work allows our town to thrive, thrive as a safe, welcoming place where families can live, businesses can grown, and our community can flourish.”

Chief Riddick said he also appreciated the opportunity to celebrate the promotion of a department member and to welcome new hires – particularly those who are already certified police officers. Being able to hire already-certified officers and other qualified candidates in West Hartford is a testament to and culmination of the years of work and collaboration between the police department, Town Council, and the union, Riddick said, which has resulted in what he thinks is “one of the best contracts within the state” and shows the appreciation the town has for its police officers.

“It’s not utopia … but it really is a great place to work,” Riddick said. “We didn’t come in for an easy walk. We came in to stand, we came in to forge forward, we came in to dedicate and to push through whatever adversity comes our way.” At the end of the day, police officers but themselves in harm’s way, perhaps so someone else can live, perhaps someone they don’t know or don’t like. He tells new hires that if they aren’t willing to make that sacrifice, “then don’t even bother taking this badge.”

Assistant Chief Larry Terra shared some background information about all three being honored.

Det. Teeter, a native of New Britain, graduated from New Britain High School in 2010 and the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2014 where she majored in mathematical science and minored in nuclear engineering. As a 2nd lieutenant following graduation, she was a military police officer stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, served in various leadership roles, and earned her master’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in criminal behavioral analysis through the University of Cincinnati.

Teeter was hired by the West Hartford Police Department in 2018, and received several Departmental Unit Citations while serving in the Patrol Division. She has attended multiple courses in preparation to becoming a detective, Terra said, including death investigations, crime scene processing, and basic interview and interrogation.

Ofc. Fede, who was born in Haiti, lived in Long Island after he immigrated to the U.S. in 2007. He attended Suffolk County Community College, where he studied criminal justice before pursuing his law enforcement career guided by a passion to help those who cannot help themselves.

Fede was a patrol officer with the Norwich (CT) Police Department for about two years, “responding to a wide range of calls for service and applying his skills to communicate effectively in Haitian Creole,” Terra said.

Ofc. Sokołowski, who was born in Poland, grew up in New Britain and earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Manchester Community College and in 2018 earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology from Loyola University Chicago. He spent a summer abroad studying in Warsaw, Poland, Terra said, where he “gained first-hand insight into the criminal justice systems and cybersecurity in Eastern Europe.”

Sokolowski was a patrol officer with the Chicago Police Department for two years, earning awards for recovery of illegal firearms and other efforts. When he returned to Connecticut he joined the East Hampton Police Department and because a licensed drone pilot.

Because Fede and Sokolowski are already certified officers, they do not need to attend the Police Academy and immediately began training in the West Hartford Police Department’s policies and procedures through the Field Training Division.

Lt. Amanda Martin served as emcee at the swearing-in ceremony, and Pastor Eric Peoples gave the invocation.

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