The West Hartford Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony for two new officers on May 16, 2024.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department officially welcomed Ofc. Nathaniel Van Stone and Ofc. Jonathan Escobar to its ranks on May 16 during a swearing-in ceremony held at Town Hall, with family, friends, town leaders and staff, and other department members in attendance.

Both are experienced officers who are joining West Hartford Police from other departments. Van Stone most recently was a member of the New Orleans Police Department and Escobar comes to West Hartford from the New Haven Police Department.

“West Hartford prioritizes public safety. We invest in it, and we know that your leadership team is the best in the State of Connecticut, and maybe the best in the country,” said Mayor Shari Cantor, who also administered the oath of office to the new officers. She assured the new officers that they will have the support and leadership as well as training to be the best they can be.

“We are so grateful that you chose our community and you are choosing this line of work because we understand the danger, we understand the importance of having all of us supportive of you and what you do to keep our community safe,” Cantor said to the new officers.

Town Manager Rick Ledwith echoed Cantor’s comments, adding that “everything we do in West Hartford, the foundation of everything we do in terms of services that we provide … it all begins with public safety. We are not the community that we are unless we have this outstanding police department.”

Ledwith said the new officers won’t regret choosing West Hartford. “On your first day, when you’re out doing that first beat, you’re going to feel and see that gratefulness from our community every single day that you come to work, and I hope you take a lot of pride in that and what you’re doing for our town.” They will also feel support from leadership and other town departments.

Chief Vernon Riddick, in his remarks, agreed. “The support we’ve got here is top-notch,” he said. The department’s virtual simulator, which is in place, and the command post and intel center which will be completed soon are “very huge and significant projects we have going on which could not be done without the support from our leadership and Town Council.”

Riddick said he also appreciates the support of the West Hartford Union – and even in negotiations the goal is to do the best thing for officers.

“You are choosing us,” Riddick said, in a buyer’s market, especially for certified officers who have experience. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he added.

“Discretion shows a lot,” Riddick said, and is a sign not of weakness but rather of strength and intelligence and in dealing with people who are having bad days. He added that he’s grateful to have officers joining the ranks with work and life experience, “understanding that bracelets aren’t always the answer. You can talk somebody down and help them get through that most difficult time.”

Making hard decisions is part of the job, and they will likely be criticized and misunderstood. “Don’t let that get you down,” Riddick said. “If you do the right thing for the right reason it will work out.”

Assistant Chief Larry Terra shared some background about the new officers.

Van Stone is a native of Waterbury – and Chief Riddick had noted that he knows many of Van Stone’s family members, including his stepfather, who was a computer crimes specialist with the Waterbury Police Department with a 100% conviction rate.

Van Stone is a graduate of Sacred Heart High School and while attending Dean College (Franklin, MA) he acquired an interest in criminal justice and joined the New Orleans Police Department, where he spent two years serving on patrol and with multiple specialized units.

Escobar is originally from Brooklyn, NY, but was raised in East Hartford, CT, where he graduated from East Hartford High School and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for four years, which included tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After receiving an honorable discharge, Escobar began pursuit of his career in law enforcement, spending eight years at Quinnipiac as a security officer and a student, as well as a firearms instructor, salesman, and range safety officer. After earning his degree in criminal justice, Escobar spent two years with the New Haven Police Department.

After being sworn in by Cantor, both new officers were pinned with their new badges by Riddick.

Sgt. Amanda Martin served as emcee of the ceremony, and Dr. Michael D. Bailey – a West Hartford native and Conard High School graduate who is now the chaplain of the Hartford Police Department – offered an invocation.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.