The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Three of city’s finest promoted
Longtime officers advance to captain, lieutenant and sergeant
MIDDLETOWN — Those who packed council chambers Friday glimpsed the softer sides of three officers who were the guests of honor during a promotion ceremony at City Hall.
Capt. Richard Davis, executive officer of the major investigations division, Lt. Brian Hubbs, who works in the professional standards division, and Sgt. Michael D’Aresta, a patrol officer on the midnight shift, all earned their new ranks.
Each begintheir new posts Monday.
The affection Police Chief William McKenna holds for each of the three was evident as he read their biographies, injecting humor in his recitation to lighten the proceedings.
First, he introduced Hubbs, a 14-year officer who has served an array of roles. Those achievements are many, the chief demonstrated by waiving two full pages he was about to read.
“Sit back and enjoy the show on this one. This is watered down,” McKenna said, referring to Hubbs’ “abbreviated” list of accomplishments.
“There’s coffee in the lobby,” the chief ad libbed as the room erupted in loud laughter.
Hubbs, a native of Southington, graduated at the top of his class from the University of New Haven, earning his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement science as well as an associate’s degree in law enforcement administration. He’s now pursuing a psychology degree.
He served part-time at the Southington Police Department, then became an officer in Plainville, where he was promoted to corporal. Hubbs earned numerous awards and commendations for his work on attempted murder and arson cases, the chief said.
In Middletown, Hubbs joined the impact squad in 2006, concentrating community policing. In 2007, he moved to the street crime unit, and was assigned to
The affection Police Chief William McKenna holds for each of the three was evident as he read their biographies, injecting humor in his recitation to lighten the proceedings.
uncover narcotics sales, prostitution and gang activity in the North End, McKenna said.
In 2010, Hubbs was a member of the state police narcotics task force. From 2008 to 2014, he was on the Middletown SWAT team, specializing in explosive breaching and hostage rescue. In 2011, Hubbs achieved his sergeant rank, and moved up to SWAT commander.
The chief paused midway through his speech.
“The bathroom is out in the hallway. Take a left. You’ll find it. We’ll still be going on,” he joked.
In 2013, Hubbs began work in internal affairs, investigating the department’s most sensitive cases.
“During summer months, he spends most of his time trying not to kill himself mountain biking,” McKenna said of Hubbs’ athleticism.
“I intentionally wrote that bio really long so I didn’t have to say a lot up here,” said Hubbs, who acknowledged his experience in many facets of law enforcement was part of his pursuit of “career diversity.
“I have had a movie-style career. I’m very proud of it. My family teases me. There really isn’t a heck of a lot I haven’t done in the agency,” said Hubbs.
“The captain position is obviously very important in the police department, as is the lieutenant, but, in my personal opinion, it’s the sergeant, the first-line supervisor, that is the most important,” McKenna said as he introduced his former Xavier High School classmate and fellow Falcons football player.
The chief called D’Aresta, who joined the city force in 2004, the “unsung hero” of the team.
“Whenever we got in trouble, the coach would yell ‘D’Aresta! Go run!’ — and he would run like a deer. He couldn’t stop until we caught him. I’m very surprised he didn’t leave with a couple broken legs,” McKenna said.
D’Aresa, who achieved Eagle Scout while younger, graduated with high honors from Xavier, obtained a degree from the Florida Institute of Technology, and now holds both private and commercial pilot licenses.
He came aboard as a Middletown officer in 2004 after completing the 302nd training unit at Post University. D’Aresta was fourth in his class, the chief said.
The officer has been on the police union executive board, and was a Middletown Public Schools DARE officer from 2006 to 2019. In 2008, became a dog handler, working with canine Hunter, who died of liver cancer in 2017.
The latter post, D’Aresta said, was “the ultimate dream job.”
“He had a remarkable career, with countless finds and apprehensions,” the chief said.
In 2017, D’Aresta joined the marine and dive team, earning many certifications: open water, rapid deployment, search and rescue, adventure diver and deep diver.
“I still can’t believe you remember me running,” he told the chief as he took the podium. “I’ve had a fortunate career.”
Davis, who graduated from North Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., earned a bachelor’s of science in business administration, and graduated from the 281st training class at Post Academy. He has been with the department since 2000.
From 2000 to 2004, Davis was on the patrol division, marine and bike units. He also served on the executive board of the police union. Over the years, he’s been on the major investigations detective bureau, street crimes narcotics unit, and was canine officer Rika’s canine handler for six years before the dog died of pneumonia in 2014.
In 2009, Davis was promoted to sergeant. In 2010, he was the commander of both the street crimes/ narcotics unit and dive team. While leading the crisis hostage negotiation team, Davis supervised several undercover narcotic warrant operations, the chief said.
“They make fun of our accent. Remember, these guys are the ones with the accent, not us,” Davis said, his hand gesturing toward those seated.
He thanked many of his supporters, including members of the state’s attorney’s office, as well as his “brother officers who make this job what it is; make sure all of us go home at night.”
“An Irish guy got promoted, they think there’s going to be free beer,” Davis quipped.
Officer dedication has strengthened the force to a high degree, he said.
“We’re kind of like of like a one-way door now: We’ve got guys coming in and no one’s leaving. That’s a testament to our department,” Davis said.