Clinton Chairman Of Police Commission To Retire From Role

Police Commission Chairman David Lee will end nearly eight years of service by retiring March 1.

In a letter to First Selectman William Fritz, Lee said, “Being part of the Clinton police department and an elected official in the town of Clinton has been an extremely satisfying part of my life and it saddens me to leave this position, but situations beyond my control leave me little option but to retire at this time.”

Lee said he had been considering retirement for some time, but had planned to serve until his term expires in November until health issues made it necessary for him to retire early.

“The right thing for me to do for the town is to step aside,” he said.

A Republican, Lee was elected to the police commission in 2003 and has been chairman for the past five years, overseeing the department through significant personnel changes triggered by the retirement of police chief Joseph Faughnan.

Choosing between the two departmental majors, Todd Lawrie and John Santry, the police commission chose Lawrie to succeed Faughnan as chief and then named Sgt. Thomas Lucas to take over Lawrie’s role as major.

Describing his experience on the commission for Fritz, Lee wrote, “The years that I have served will forever remain an important part of my life and I will treasure the memories of the people that I have met along the way and hopefully have offered some contributions that have helped and will shape the future department.” 

Fritz praised Lee’s service to the commission and the town, saying it will be difficult to replace him.

Under Lee and Faughnan’s leadership, Clinton’s police department has become one of the most respected in the state, Fritz said. While he regretted Lee’s decision to retire, Fritz said he also understood it was in the best interests of himself and his family.

Lee said of the department, “Clinton has a police department that is second to none in personnel and dedication. The residents of this great town should be proud of the men and women that call themselves the Clinton police department and I have been proud to serve them.” 

Fritz expects selectmen will accept Lee’s resignation March 2 and then await a recommendation for his replacement from the Clinton Republican Town Committee (RTC). By state statute as an elected position, Lee's seat must be filled by a person with the same Republican Party affiliation or by an unaffiliated voter who is proposed by the RTC.  With a majority of three Democrats on their board, the selectmen can choose to accept or refuse the RTC’s choice.

Lee made his final appearance as commission chairman in its meeting Feb. 15, with Faughnan, now U.S. Marshal for Connecticut, joining the session to praise Lee’s service.