COMMUNITY POLICING UNIT IN NORWICH GETTING NEW LEADER

Norwich — Norwich police Sgt. John Perry has been named the new supervisor of the city’s Community Policing Unit, succeeding Sgt. Peter Camp, who will move to the department’s Detective Division.

Perry, a 14-year Norwich police veteran, served as a patrol officer prior to being promoted to sergeant 2½ years ago.

He will oversee the unit with six police officers that concentrates on police-community relations with residents, businesses, neighborhood watch groups and civic organizations.

“I’m looking forward to the new position, the new challenge,” Perry said Tuesday. “Community policing is established in the city of Norwich, and it’s working well.”

Perry said he is meeting with the unit’s officers now and has started scheduling meetings with local businesses, the Norwich Community Development Corp. and other groups to introduce himself.

One of his first events will be a July 9 downtown neighborhood walk along streets surrounding the St. Vincent de Paul Place soup kitchen.

The walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the former Elks Club at the corner of Main and Park streets.

The fourth in a series of walks scheduled by Mayor Deberey Hinchey, the walk will include officials from several city departments, including police, building, blight, public works and city administration.