Police department getting new officers

Officers Simmons and Papadonikolakis to begin April 5

WINSTED >> Two new officers will join the Winchester Police Department, according to an announcement made Tuesday afternoon by Chief William Fitzgerald.

Officer Brandon Simmons and Officer Steven Papadonikolakis are scheduled to attend the 357th session of the POST (Police Officer Training and Standards Council) Academy beginning April 7, according to Fitzgerald, and graduate on June 20.

Simmons is a Woodbury resident and attended Region 14 schools, where he was a member of the National Honor Society.

He attended Naugatuck Valley Community College after graduating high school, where he continues to work towards a degree in Criminal Justice. Simmons previously joined the Connecticut State Police Litchfield Cadet Program. He became a captain and has worked for the Washington marine patrol unit on Lake Waramaug.

Papadonikolakis is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and previously worked in the banking industry before going to law school.

“He decided to move back to the northeast to be closer to family,” Fitzgerald said in the release, and obtained his license to practice law in Connecticut.

“He looks forward with great pride and honor in serving and protecting the citizens of Winchester,” Fitzgerald wrote.

The two new officers will take the Oath of Office during a ceremony on Wednesday, April 5 in Town Hall at 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.

BEN LAMBERT — THE REGISTER CITIZEN Winchester Police Department announced this week that it has hired two new officers, who will begin their duties April 5.