The West Hartford Police Department held a promotion ceremony Wednesday for Det. Dustin Ganci.

Det. Dustin Ganci is pinned with his new badge by his wife and son on Feb. 9, 2022. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford native and Conard High School graduate Dustin Ganci was honored Wednesday when family and friends gathered to celebrate his promotion to the rank of detective with the West Hartford Police Department.

Ganci graduated from Conard in 2008, and after serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps was hired by the West Hartford Police Department in 2013. He was assigned to the Patrol Division after graduating from the Connecticut Police Academy, working on A and B squad.

From left: Police Chief Vernon Riddick, Assistant Chief Larry Terra, Mayor Shari Cantor, Det. Dustin Ganci, Acting Town Manager Rick Ledwith. Courtesy photo

Ganci became a Field Training Officer in 2019, and has been responsible for training more than 20 new officers. Most recently he served as Court Officer, and has also been assigned to the Traffic Division.

Ganci has received five unit citations and a lifesaving award during his time with the West Hartford Police Department, and is also a patrol rifle instructor and trained in crisis intervention.

Ganci,, who earned his bachelor’s degree in public safety from Goodwin University in 2020, is also fluent in American Sign Language.

He was pinned Wednesday by his wife, Terra, and his son, Michael.

West Hartford Police celebrated the promotion of Det. Dustin Ganci on Feb. 9, 2022. Courtesy photo

Det. Dustin Ganci with is wife and son at his promotion ceremony on Feb. 9, 2022. Courtesy photo

West Hartford Police celebrated the promotion of Det. Dustin Ganci on Feb. 9, 2022. Courtesy photo

West Hartford Police celebrated the promotion of Det. Dustin Ganci on Feb. 9, 2022. Courtesy photo

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