STATE POLICE PROMOTE TOP COMMAND STAFF

   (MIDDLETOWN, CT – March 1, 2018) – The Connecticut State Police promoted four Troopers to command staff positions during a ceremony at State Police Headquarters today.

   Dr. Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public
Protection, formally promoted the Troopers during the event.  Governor Dannel Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman also attended and addressed the promotees.

   The following persons were promoted:

   Colonel George F. Battle  Colonel Battle was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of the Office of Administrative Services and will serve as Commanding Officer and Deputy Commissioner of the Division of State Police. A 30-year veteran of the CT State Police, he has served as patrol trooper, detective, sergeant and resident trooper sergeant. In 2004, he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Commanding Officer of Troop I in Bethany and the former Troop W at Bradley International Airport, Troop A in Southbury, Grants & Contracts Administration, Internal Affairs and as the Chief of Staff in the Office of Administrative Services. In 2010, Lt. Col. Battle was promoted to the rank of Captain and served at Western District Headquarters, the Professional Standards Unit, and the Bureau of Field Technology, Infrastructure, and Transportation. In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Major and served in the Bureau of Business Development. Col. Battle earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western New England College and a Master’s Degree from Quinnipiac University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

   Lieutenant Colonel William D. Kewer Lt. Col. Kewer was promoted from Major and will now serve as commanding officer of the Office of Administrative Services. He most recently served as commanding officer of the State Police Central District and has served in numerous leadership positons, including as commanding officer of the Emergency Services Unit. Lt. Col. Kewer has been a State Trooper for 28 years and has been awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, one Lifesaving Medal, two Outstanding Service Medals and three Unit Citations.  Lt. Col. Kewer earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. In addition, he attended the Fusion Center Director’s Leadership Program at the Naval Post Graduate School and previously served with the Yarmouth Police Department. He lives in Eastern Connecticut with his family.

   Lieutenant Colonel Stavros Mellekas  Lt. Col. Mellekas was promoted from Major and will now serve as Commanding Officer in the Office of Field Operations.  He most recently served as Commanding Officer of the State Police Western District and previously served in the Office of Professional Standards and other command positions. As a Trooper for 24 years, Lt. Col. Mellekas has earned two Medals for Meritorious Service, an Outstanding Service Medal and nine Unit Citation Awards. He earned a B.A. from St. Anselm’s College and previously served as a Police Officer at the U.S. Capitol. He lives in Bristol with his family.

   Major Scott A. Smith  Major Smith was promoted from Captain and has been assigned as Commanding Officer, Professional Standards and Compliance.  As a Trooper for 18 years, Major Smith has earned two Unit Citation Awards. He previously was assigned as commanding officer of the Research, Development and Planning Unit, as Mansfield Resident Trooper, Tolland Resident Trooper and commanding officer in the Traffic Services Unit, as well as serving at Troop C in Tolland and Troop D in Danielson. He holds a B.A. degree and served as an officer with the
East Hartford Police Department prior to becoming a Trooper. He lives in in Tolland with his family.

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