The West Hartford Police Department welcomed a new officer Wednesday at a swearing-in ceremony.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department officially welcomed Ofc. Jeffrey Rohrig to its ranks Wednesday afternoon at a swearing-in ceremony in the department’s training room, with family, friends, and other department members in attendance.

“Policing as we all know is a very noble profession and I commend you for choosing this career, but more importantly, for choosing to work here in West Hartford, a town whose residents are incredibly proud and supportive of our department,” Town Manager Rick Ledwith said. He said Rohrig will be supported – working alongside a great team of leaders in the police department as well as with other departments throughout town.

Ledwith also offered his thanks and gratefulness to the rest of the department, for their “remarkable professionalism” and hard work.

Chief Vernon Riddick said the support for the police by town management and the Town Council in West Hartford – including during difficult times – is very much appreciated. Support from the union is appreciated as well.

“At the end of the day, whatever decisions that we make, we try to do for the best interest of the organization and the foundation, the bedrock of that, is our patrol officers, without question,” Riddick said.

“As you continue to go forward … understand you are about to get something that is very significant. It looks nice and clean, it’s not tarnished, and it’s shiny. You need to keep it that way,” Riddick said to Rohrig of the badge he was about to receive. “Whatever decisions you make, do not tarnish the badge. Keep honor, integrity, respect, and humility as you go forward.” The job requires discretion – which is a very valuable tool for community relations, he added.

West Hartford is among the very best police departments in the country, Riddick said, and thanked Rohrig for choosing this department in what is a buyers’ market. “We’re glad you decided to take our sale, and to come here, to learn, to cultivate, and to grow.”

Mayor Shari Cantor handled the swearing-in duties, administering the Oath of Office, and Riddick pinned Rohrig with his badge.

Rohrig, 28, is a native of Milford, CT, and a 2013 graduate of Jonathan Law High School.

He enrolled in the U.S. Army and was a Patriot Missile operator, assigned to Fort Sill in Oklahoma and then Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg, North Carolina) with the 103rd Air Defense Artillery Brigade. Asst. Chief Larry Terra, who presented Rohrig’s background, noted that he was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and was released from active duty with an honorable discharge in 2017.

Rohrig went on to become a military police officer with the Army Reserve while pursuing his degree in criminal justice at the University of New Haven. He paused his studies for work in the private security industry, landscaping, and has climbed cell towers for a role in the telecommunications industry.

“Jeff appreciates his family’s support through his military service and going forward into his law enforcement career,” Terra said.

Rohrig will begin his training at the New Britain Police Academy beginning April 26, and after graduation will begin the West Hartford Police Department’s 12-week Field Training Officer program before assuming his first assignment.

Sgt. Amanda Martin served as emcee of the ceremony, and Pastor Eric Peoples offered an invocation.

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