The
Chief:
Fred
Spagnolo
With a highly-trained staff and the latest in technological innovations, the Waterbury Police Department is involved in nearly every aspect of public safety. Meet FRED SPAGNOLO – the Chief of Police who has devoted his life to community service, and is making sure that his team is a model for positive relationship building.
“The city of Waterbury… all day, every day.”
As he sits in the top floor conference room of the department headquarters overlooking downtown Waterbury, that’s how Fred Spagnolo describes his main responsibility.
And he’s not kidding.
In fifteen minutes, he’ll be reviewing some traffic cameras with his officers. Twenty minutes ago, he was conducting a press conference on the corner of East Main and North Elm. This morning, he was talking with kids at a community event. Tonight, he’ll be attending a business awards celebration. Tomorrow, his schedule is similarly packed – and at no time will a polite grin leave his face.
WORX At first glance, Chief Spagnolo projects the image that many have when they think of a police officer: An imposing figure who fills out the uniform. Yet, his outward appearance belies the person within – an affable and articulate man with a deep understanding for how his department can be of greatest use to the Waterbury community.
To this, Spagnolo lists four key pillars:
“Making sure there are partnerships both internally and externally so we can serve the community in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Making sure that our response times are adequate. Making sure that we are able to handle the amount of call volume. Making sure that we're good community partners for folks interested in hosting events here in the city, and for servicing agencies operating here in the city – whether it be for youth, behavioral health, or other types of assistance.”
Fernando C. Spagnolo was raised in the South End of Hartford, a member of an immigrant family full of construction workers and insurance company administrators. “I grew up in a time where you worked together as a community. You stuck together. You helped each other out.”
Just a youngster, he remembers having to serve as a translator for the police when his grandparents, who spoke no English, once needed assistance. “The way that the officer reacted, the patience that he had, that the officer was willing to help… it always stuck with me.” (Young Spagnolo remembered the man’s name – Ron Burr – and prior to Burr’s passing, Fred kept in touch with Burr through of all their years as fellow officers.)
Spagnolo attended Saint Joseph’s College in Portland, Maine, where he concentrated his studies in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Then, at age 20, Fred bought a house in the East End of Waterbury – recalling that, “From moment one, I was adopted by this city, and it intrigued me to really get involved in public service.”
Waterbury Police Department / Waterbury Observer Spagnolo joined the Waterbury Police Department on July 10, 1992 – less than three months after the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles had the nation talking about the role of police and issues of race. “I've seen a lot occur on the rollercoaster ride since 1992 as far as perception of policing within communities and an understanding of what the police's role is. To me it's ever-evolving, because the needs of the community are constantly changing.”
With the Waterbury Police Department, Spagnolo’s early years were in the Patrol Division, working the overnight shift until 1995. He was next assigned to the Motorcycle Division, and then moved to the Tactical Narcotics Team in 1997. That same year, Spagnolo became a detective – spending the majority of his time in the Vice and Intelligence Division, and getting well versed on both the administrative and investigative sides of the house. The year 2003 saw a promotion to Sergeant, as well as a stint with Homeland Security, where he monitored and assessed all of the city’s infrastructure. “There’s a lot of valuable property in Waterbury and the region,” Fred says. “The water system, for example, is state of the art… and irreplicable.” Spagnolo was promoted to the Lieutenant rank in 2007, moved up to Deputy Chief of Operations in 2009, and was assigned to Deputy Chief of Administration in 2013.
Upon taking over as Waterbury’s 22nd Chief of Police in 2018, Spagnolo made it a goal to stay focused on what was available and accessible – a combination of leveraging current best practices and exploring emerging technologies. It’s a goal that Fred keeps today – because within it, he says, “the main focus is really relationship building to a level of trust.”
WORX On July 28, 1853, the City of Waterbury established its first official police force with a group of 25 men known as “Constables” who were paid between 15 and 25 cents per hour. Today, the Waterbury Police Department is exponentially larger and more advanced. Over 30 divisions comprise the full operation – everything from the Detective Bureau to the Youth Squad – with several hundred officers employed. By touting the supportive resources in the City and the Department, officers from all over are joining the Waterbury Police. The force is at more than 90% of its budgeted capacity, a much higher figure than peer departments in other cities.
The human capital in the department is impressive; a tour of the headquarters is downright awe-inspiring. The building stretches across a city block in all four directions – an integrated hub of offices, meeting spaces, and scientific labs. Waterbury PD has its own DNA testing system, an extensive forensics unit, a detailed records archive, and countless other assets.
WORX Among the latest additions to the headquarters is the Real Time Crime Center – a large glass-encased basecamp with walls of video feeds that look like a scene out of a crime-solving television show. In the center, multiple officials can collaboratively investigate safety issues, assist other divisions, monitor events across the city, and provide efficient responses to anything they see.
This includes using data analytics to understand the diversity of the city in regards to religion, race, socioeconomic status, housing stock, and other factors so that “the programming we bring to a certain neighborhood has the right messengers,” says Spagnolo. Never one to rest, the Chief is implementing even more technological initiatives, like an automated drone program and a computer-aided dispatch system. “They are advanced ways for using technology to keep people as safe as possible.”
Continual and comprehensive training is a hallmark of Spagnolo’s plan – the underlying desire to be among the most well-rounded and highly-skilled police departments in the state – and the last several years have included a significant emphasis on officer training related to behavioral health, crisis intervention, and the de-escalation of situations.
One method of advanced training for the Police Department comes from a fellow Waterbury-based institution. “We're strong partners with Post University,” says Spagnolo. “We made their online portal available for our officers so they can do training with ease. This makes better-informed officers and more productive officers.” Waterbury’s public safety professionals also work closely with various Connecticut state offices, the FBI, US marshals, the DEA, the US attorney’s office, and state attorney’s office.
WORX Waterbury-based Post University is partnered with the Waterbury Police Department to offer online training courses.
There are some people out there who continue to breathe life into perceptions about safety and security in this city. We struggle like many cities do from some urban problems, but I think we have a really good grasp on them.
Contributed / Waterbury Police Department Amari Brantley (left) and Fred Spagnolo (top right, in vest) collaborated to create the popular NAACP Youth Council basketball game.
The grin that Spagnolo regularly sports widens to a smile when he talks about community relations – and one contingent in particular.
“I love working with the youth. They really are the future. Especially since the pandemic, it’s been a rough road for our children. There are huge stressors these days for kids, so anything I can do to support them on the basics – like hygiene, or diet, even accountability in life – I will.”
He smiles especially wide when thinking about the relationship built with a youth named Amari Brantley. Spagnolo helped the boy bring his vision of a basketball game between the Waterbury Police Department and the NAACP Youth Council to fruition. That was years ago, and now it’s a huge annual event that has even seen a few NBA players join the squads as special guests. Fred has spoken at several events hosted or chaired by Amari, and Spagnolo was elated to see Brantley return to Waterbury after graduating college in Arkansas recently. “He’s very committed to civic duty, and has an interest in law and business. Eventually, this kid wants to be the Mayor here!”
Spagnolo wants to help every Waterbury youth see all of the possibilities that education and connection brings. “I get to help create events where kids can express themselves, understand their value, and see career paths. There are just great, great opportunities that we need to continue to advance.”
Waterbury Police Department In addition to being an active participant in the local community, Chief Spagnolo is one of the leading voices in the country on a number of public safety topics. He was asked by Senators Blumenthal and Murphy to speak in front of the United States Congress regarding gun safety. Governor Lamont appointed him to the Police Officer Standard and Training Council. And, Spagnolo serves on the National Police Activity Leagues Board where he advises other police departments on community-oriented practices.
Given his acumen and interest in helping, it comes as no surprise that Chief Spagnolo is also of service to investors looking to set up shop in Waterbury.
“We'll do site visits for any business owner that is either thinking about coming to Waterbury or is here in the city, to look at environmental design and try to deter crime that could possibly occur. We'll be happy to provide crime rates for a particular area. We’re very open and responsive.”
Waterbury Police Department Chief Spagnolo and his team abide by a slogan they created together, a succinct mantra pared down from a lengthy past mission statement that nobody could recite: Protect with vigilance and serve with impartiality.
Spagnolo feels honored that he gets to protect and serve more than 115,000 citizens. “They’re just beautiful, committed people, that all have something unique to offer. There’s people from literally all around the globe, and they bring so much vibrance to the city that is necessary for us to continue to grow.”
Before he heads out to a succession of other tasks, the Chief underscores the fundamental interest that he and his large, capable, smart, unique, devoted staff have in their round-the-clock support of Waterbury.
“What we're here for is trying to get ahead of problems before they turn into issues, and problem solve as opposed to just taking an enforcement role. I firmly believe that through relationships, bonds grow stronger, and there’s trust. And that’s what gets things done.”
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