‘It’s been a great ride’
After nearly 4 decades with Brookfield Police Department, Chief James ‘Jay’ Purcell to retire
Brookfield’s police department is saying goodbye to community fixture and its chief, James “Jay” Purcell, at the end of the month. After five years as chief and 38 years with the department, on Jan. 31, Purcell will retire from the Brookfield Police Department.
“It’s been a great ride, it’s been a great career,” Purcell said. “It’s time for me to move on to the next phase of my life while I’m still healthy and energetic and can enjoy retirement.”
Second-in-command Major John Puglisi will take the reins at the station. Purcell said Puglisi is wellregarded by the staff and is an accomplished officer.
“I believe I leave the department in good shape, and it’s certainly in good hands with John taking over on Feb. 1,” Purcell said.
A long career
Purcell took over as police chief in 2016, becoming the department’s third chief since its inception in the 1970s. While he has spent only about five years as chief, his time at the department goes back nearly four decades.
Purcell’s family, which has a long history in the Danbury area, includes his father, a World War II veteran who worked in the photo department at The News-Times. Purcell worked in the paper’s advertising department before joining the force.
He became second-in-command at the police department in January of 2001, just months before the World Trade Center attacks. At the time of his retire
During his tenure as chief, he oversaw the institution of body-worn cameras, and the updating and rewriting of the department’s rules and regulations to achieve public safety agency accreditation — a process which will be seen to its conclusion under Puglisi.
ment, he will have spent more than 20 years in a senior administrative role within the department.
During his tenure as chief, he oversaw the institution of body-worn cameras, and the updating and rewriting of the department’s rules and regulations to achieve public safety agency accreditation — a process which will be seen to its conclusion under Puglisi.
Purcell oversaw a facility needs analysis, developing scenarios for their building’s future needs, and a study to complete a new emergency radio communications system for the police, fire, EMS, public works, parks and recreation departments and schools.
“I think I’m ready,” he said of his retirement from the force.
After all this time, Purcell has a trove of memories. However, he said one of the most significant ones will be the macroburst in the spring of 2018.
The storm killed two Danbury-area people and caused millions of dollars in damages. Some local families lost their homes.
“That was a pretty intense experience,” Purcell said. “It is probably the worst natural calamity to befall the town that I can remember in my 38 years.”
Purcell said there was also a lot of media attention along with their emergency management duties.
Next on his list of memories is the COVID-19 pandemic.
The department had to recalibrate how they did simple tasks to ensure social distancing, adjusting, as everyone did, to a new normal.
“Our people are pretty resilient,” Purcell said.
Moving ahead
Purcell said he would miss having his finger on the pulse of things — being engaged or involved in nearly everything that goes on in the small town.
Yet, with his newfound free time, he said he wants to stay involved in community work.
He will continue working with the volunteer fire department in Danbury where he’s been a member since age 16 — the newly consolidated Danbury Volunteer Fire Battalion 19, formerly the Citizens Hose Company No. 6. He said he may take on a larger administrative role. He inherited lots of archives from the older Citizens Hose group from a deceased member that he hopes to digitize and organize.
Purcell plans to travel — perhaps spending more time at the beach in Rhode Island — and visit with family.
“I’ll stay plenty engaged,” he said. “He’s going to be missed,” said Capt. Peter Frengs, who was hired by Purcell.
Brookfield First Selectman Tara Carr said during her work with Purcell, he demonstrated top leadership qualities, and remarked on his “very sharp mind,” skilled strategic and critical thinking, and knack for interpersonal communications.
“He’s a man of integrity and I really appreciated that,” Carr said. “We’re going to miss him terribly.”