West Hartford Police held a swearing-in and promotion ceremony on Sept. 10, 2025.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department welcomed two new officers to its ranks and celebrated the two promotions to detective at a ceremony in Town Council Chambers on Sept. 10 that was packed with family, friends, and other department members as well as town staff and officials.

Kylee Lecchi and Maria Albini have both been promoted to the rank of detective, and Jacob Bona and Zachary Mahan have joined the West Hartford Police Department.

Mayor Shari Cantor said it was impressive and inspirational to see the room full of those supporting the new and promoted department members and extended her appreciation and gratitude.

The new officers had choices, she said, but are joining the best police department in the state of Connecticut “because the people in West Hartford, the leadership that you have behind you are the best. They will help you and support you to be the best that you can be.”

The town could not be what it is without its strong police department, she added. “You have a community that truly appreciates the work that you do and. understands the importance of the foundation that you provide to our community … the courage, the professionalism, the empathy, and the integrity that you show every day is so appreciated.”

Town Manager Rick Ledwith said he was honored to celebrate “the growth and strength of our police department” and to recognize the promotions that have been earned through hard work and dedication as well as the new officers.

“To all of our officers, many of whom are here today, and to their families who also support them, thank you,” Ledwith said. “The work our police department does is vital to the safety, security, and well-being of West Hartford,” he said, noting that they are not only protectors but also trusted ambassadors for the town.

Chief Vernon Riddick said the ceremony was a day to smile because it represents the “culmination of hard work, dedication, perspective of what’s important in life, perseverance, and I would say, discipline.” He also thanked the town manager, mayor, and Town Council for being so supportive of the police department.

“Now the work has just begun, different levels, different devils,” Riddick said, but added that the new officers and those promoted will be given guidance, nurturing, and training needed to accomplish their jobs.

Assistant Chief Larry Terra shared some background information about all four department members being honored.

Det. Kylee Lecchi graduated from Central Connecticut State University, magna cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a minor in psychology, and joined the West Hartford Police Department in 2018. Entering law enforcement, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, a former Watertown (CT) police chief, and his uncle, a former East Lyme Police detective.

Lecchi has worked all three shifts in the Patrol Division, has been a Field Training Officer, and in 2021 was selected to join the Emergency Services Unit and is currently team sniper. He graduated from a counter-terrorism program at the Direct-Action Resource Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, and also completed the Ridgeline Training Center’s Advanced Urban Sniper course in Dalton, New Hampshire, Terra said.

Lecchi was assigned to the Community Support Unit in 2022, where he has been involved with the proactive investigation of street crimes and narcotics cases, and served with the Greater Hartford Regional Auto Theft Task Force. “During his time in these positions, Kylee has contributed to the apprehension of numerous dangerous felons involved in violent crime through both state and federal investigations, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of illegal narcotics and firearms, as well as the recovery of hundreds of stolen motor vehicles,” Terra said.

Det. Maria Albini is a native of Southington, CT, a 2013 graduate of Southington High School, and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of New Haven with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and minors in Arabic and sociology – earned while also serving as captain of the women’s rugby team.

As a college student, Albini completed West Hartford’s “Behind the Badge” internship program and then joined the West Hartford Police Department in 2017. She has served in the Patrol Division, is a Field Training Officer, a trained negotiator with the Crisis Negotiation Team, and a member of the Peer Support Team. She is also trained as a Court Liaison Officer.

“Her work has been recognized with multiple Departmental Unit Citations as well as a Life-Saving Award for her role in preventing a suicidal individual from jumping off a bridge,” Terra said.

Ofc. Jacob Bona is from Woodbury, CT, and graduated from Nonnewaug High School in 2021 where he played lacrosse. After high school he enrolled at the Industrial Management and Training Institute (IMTI) and completed training as an electrical technician and going to work for an industrial electrical company.

In joining the West Hartford Police Department ranks, Bona is following in the footsteps of his father – West Hartford Police Ofc. Robert Bona, who pinned him – and several uncles.

Ofc. Zachary Mahan is a native of South Windsor, CT and a graduate of South Windsor High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Western New England University and after two years of working in the University of Connecticut’s Recreation Department decided to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Before joining the West Hartford Police Department he gained knowledge and experience in the field as a civilian dispatcher with the Southbridge (Massachusetts) Police Department.

Cantor administered the oath of office to the two detectives and two new officers.

Lt. Amanda Martin served as emcee at the swearing-in ceremony, and Deacon Paul Travers gave the invocation.

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