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GREENWICH, Conn. Greenwich will make it official Nov. 1 when when Deputy Police Chief James Heavey is sworn in as head of the department.
Heavey succeeds Chief David Ridberg, who is slated to retire Oct. 31. According to the Board of Selectmen, who approved the appointment in September, Heavey will earn $146,413, a 10 percent jump from his deputy chief's position. The selectmen will appoint a new deputy chief.
The installation ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at police headquarters, located at 11 Bruce Place.
Heavey had served as a captain since 2010 and as deputy chief since June. The position of deputy chief had been vacant since 2007, when Ridberg was promoted to replace retiring Chief James Walters. A promotions freeze was in effect because of a lawsuit by former Lt. Gary Honulik, who claimed he was bypassed unfairly for a promotion. The suit was dismissed in 2009.
Heavey began his career as a Greenwich police officer in 1986 and was promoted to sergeant in 1999 and lieutenant in 2003. Heavey holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration and a masters in public administration. He is an Army veteran and served more than 20 years in the Army Reserve. He was a military police officer and veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Heavey has performed many duties in the department, including accident investigator, dispatch trainer, grant writer, civil disturbance coordinator, emergency management coordinator and police explorer adviser.
Heavey recently completed a seven-week executive development course for senior police officers at the Justice System Training and Research Institute at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
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