On Thursday, June 12, 2014 the Westport Police Department will promote five officers. The ceremony will take place at 3:00 P.M. in the Westport Police Department classroom. These promotions come after several months of competitive testing and will fill vacancies in rank created through retirements.
To be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant:
Sergeant Ryan Paulsson was hired in December 2000 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2012. Sergeant Paulsson was the department’s Bloodhound handler for 10 years and has supervised the K9 Unit since 2010. Officer Paulsson serves as a tactical officer with the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team, member of the Westport Police/Fire Dive-Rescue Team and the Marine Division. He is a certified Law Enforcement instructor in numerous disciplines. Officer Paulsson is a trustee with the Westport Police Benevolent Association and is chairman of the department’s Awards Committee. Officer Paulsson has received numerous department awards, including a Meritorious Police Duty Award for locating an endangered missing person in 2008.
Officer Paulsson holds a Bachelors degree in Justice and Law Administration from Western Connecticut State University. He resides in Milford, CT with his wife Jacqie and daughter Emmalyn.
Sergeant Jillian Cabana was hired in May 2006. She was promoted to the rank of Detective in August 2009 and to the rank of Sergeant in January 2013. Sergeant Cabana is the Domestic Violence Liaison for the Police Department. She has received several department awards, including the Meritorious Police Duty Award.
Sergeant Cabana is a graduate of the University of New Haven with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. She is currently working towards her Masters degree in Justice Studies with a concentration in Public Administration through Southern New Hampshire University.
Sergeant Cabana is married and the mother of a 1-year-old daughter.
To be promoted to the rank of Sergeant:
Officer David Wolf was hired in August 2001. Officer Wolf has served as a Field Training Officer and DARE officer. He is currently the coordinator of the Department’s Crisis Intervention Team, a Crisis Negotiator with the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team, and member of the Department’s bicycle squad. Officer Wolf is a certified Law Enforcement instructor in search and seizure, civil liability and eyewitness identification.
Officer Wolf received his Bachelor of Arts from Franklin and Marshall College, his Masters in Health Care Administration from Western Connecticut State University and is entering final year of the Juris Doctor program at the University of Connecticut School Of Law.
Officer Wolf lives in Oxford with his wife and four children.
Officer Matthew Gouveia was hired in January 2008. Officer Gouveia is a recipient of the Chief Samuel J. Luciano Award for academic excellence, awarded by the Connecticut Chiefs of Police Association (and named for the former Westport Chief of Police) as well as a Chief’s Commendation from the Westport Police Department.
Officer Gouveia received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University and his Juris Doctor from the Roger Williams University School of Law. Officer Gouveia is a member of the bar in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Officer Gouveia is a native of Massachusetts, where most of his family still resides.
To be promoted to the rank of Detective:
Officer Marc Heinmiller was hired in October 2003. Officer Heinmiller was a K9 handler for 5 years until the retirement of his dog, Lola, in 2012. He has also served as a Field Training Officer and a member of the Marine Division and Honor Guard. Officer Heinmiller has received numerous departmental awards, including a Lifesaving Award.
Officer Heinmiller holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Connecticut State University.