Torrington Police announce annual award recipients

Tom Milstead
Posted 2/8/19

The Torrington Police Department recognized several officers from different divisions for their service to the community during the Torrington City Council meeting Tuesday night.

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Torrington Police announce annual award recipients

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TORRINGTON – The Torrington Police Department recognized several officers from different divisions for their service to the community during the Torrington City Council meeting Tuesday night. 

According to chief Tim Hurd, who presented the awards, his intent was to recognize people who went the extra mile in helping the public. 

“Since coming to Torrington, it’s no secret that we have concentrated on community policing and teamwork,” Hurd said. “I can’t say enough of how proud I am of this agency. It’s an honor to be a part of the community, and on honor to be a part of this police department. 

“Teamwork is the most important aspect of any law enforcement agency in any area. Without teamwork and without community support, your law enforcement agency is nothing. It is not my department, it is your department. How we handle ourselves and how we conduct ourselves is of the utmost importance.”

Hurd named both Tammy Cearns and Teri Shinost Community Service Officers of the Year. 

“Appreciation doesn’t come easy for me, and I make the mistake of not being able to express how appreciative I’ve been of some of the people that work with me,” he said. 

“Both of them have done so much for this community over the years, and have done so much since I’ve been here, to make my adjustment here much easier and to teach me things I need to know about the community.”

Hurd said communication is an important part of the department, and named Bailey Miller the Communications Officer of the Year for excellent service to the department. 

“It is such an intricate part of the community and of law enforcement, that you have to hire the right communications officers,” he said. “They have to be professional and they have to be way past my intelligence level when it comes to what they’re dealing with. 

“The department is a team and we work as a team, but there’s always the one that goes out into the community and does a little extra.”

Patrolman Sean Ringrose was named the Officer of the Year for the department, and Sergeant Patrick Connolly was named Supervisor of the Year. 

“Everyone in the department deserves recognition for the job that they do day in and day out,” Hurd said. “I’m not going to make any secret about how dangerous the job is, even in the city of Torrington. 

“The community service aspect is very important. I believe the most important thing for a police department is the trust the community has in its law enforcement agency. These officers have taken the steps and taken the time to make the department a better department.”

Hurd also awarded City of Torrington Municipal Judge Nathaniel Hibben with a plaque to commemorate his first year behind the bench. 

“I can’t stress enough how difficult that position is for a small municipality like Torrington or in a large city like Denver,” he said. “Officers feel like they need a good punishment for whatever crime they’ve arrested someone for, however the community has to understand that people are human and they make mistakes. Being a judge is a very difficult position.”