New Canaan selectmen appoint first female police commissioner

Shekaiba Bennett has been appointed as the first woman to New Canaan’s three-person Police Commission, after Sperry DeCew recently stepped down.

“I am very happy to nominate the first female member of the New Canaan Police Commission,” First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said at the Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday, April 21.

Selectmen voted unanimously for Bennett, who is a 15-year resident of New Canaan, an art teacher in Greenwich and an active volunteer with local organizations.

“I think she will make a wonderful addition to the commission,” Selectman Kit Devereaux said. “She is a balanced, fair thinker. She has a lot of community knowledge. I applaud this appointment.”

Moynihan reminded those viewing the virtual meeting, that he had also put forward to the board the first female to the Fire Commission with Beth Jones, who was appointed in November 2019.

“It is about time to have broader representation on these boards and commissions, so I move the appointment,” he said.

“I think it is about time,” Selectman Nick Williams agreed.

Bennett has undertaken local leadership roles such as chairman of the New Canaan International Ladies Group for five years; cochairman of the UN (United Nations) Committee of New Canaan for six years; and the chairman of the Waveny Gators swim team for two years.

The spouse of New Canaan native Derek Bennett has served on the New Canaan Library Board of Trustees for six years, the New Canaan Democratic Town Committee for 10 years and the Historic District of New Canaan Commission for one year.

Bennett has taken special training for State of Connecticut programs, such as for the Department of Children and Families as a mandated reporter; Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Planning and Placement Team (PPT).

The mother of two has volunteered at the schools, including South School as a class mom and classroom volunteer.

Contributing her artistic abilities, she has worked with the Carriage Barn Arts Center, Art in the Windows and on the Art Committee of the New Canaan Library.