WATERTOWN — Law enforcement has drastically evolved since retiring Police Chief John C. Gavallas first walked a beat here in the late 1960s. Technology has been one of the biggest game changers over the years, but community-oriented policing remains one of the most important aspects of the job, said Gavallas who has been chief here since 2007.
Gavallas, 75, is closing the books on his 51-year law enforcement career in Watertown.
Dozens of residents, town officials and fellow law enforcement agents from around the region saluted the chief in a socially-distant parade and ceremony Wednesday. Today marks his last day on the job.
Police cruisers from Watertown, Middlebury and Seymour drove by with lights and sirens blaring; area police chiefs from Wolcott, New Milford and Darien were on hand; and Watertown Fire Department and Public Works crews drove by as Gavallas waved, flanked by the color guard, in front of police headquarters on French Street.
Many honked and waved, wishing Gavallas good luck or thanking him for years of service.
Lt. Tim Gavallas said his father is a hero and role model for his family, and that he “will be missed but not forgotten here at the Watertown PD.”
Those who worked closely with the chief, like retired Deputy Police Chief and Town Council member Robert “Herm” Desena, said Gavallas was a visionary who long ago saw the importance of incorporating technology into law enforcement. of integrated communications systems and constant training, especially for de-escalating emotionally charged situations.
Gavallas can attest that law enforcement has drastically changed since 1969 when he joined the force and was issued a uniform, gun and bullets, but no training with a firearm.
“That would be unheard of today,” he said recalling the four months he worked the beat before going through six weeks of police training.
“Now it’s 26 weeks, so training has evolved,” Gavallas said.
Advances in technology have also had “an extraordinarily positive impact on our ability to solve crimes and locate offenders,” Gavallas said. Cellphones, social media, license plate readers, and surveillance cameras make it difficult for offenders to evade police, Gavallas said, and body cameras have helped contribute to police transparency.
The department has doubled in Gavallas’ tenure, from roughly 21 officers when he started to more than 40 sworn officers today. Community-oriented policing began in the 1990s with officers interacting with the public and informing them on law enforcement. That was one of the most positive steps in policing during his career, Gavallas said.
School resource officers brought police and youth together, and the citizens academy helped bridge the police and community, he said.
After decades of building up community relations, Gavallas said “I now fear we are moving away from that model.” The recent police accountability bill “dealt a severe blow to morale in law enforcement,” which will “result in accelerated retirements among police officers who are taking with them years of institutional knowledge.
“And many of our young and talented recruits are going to reconsider a career in law enforcement. They don’t feel supported,” Gavallas said. “It certainly has had a negative effect on law enforcement, and we really do need to get back to community-oriented policing.”
Gavallas said he’s proud of the Police Benevolent Association’s Christmas parties over the years, luncheons for seniors and holiday toy drives.
Police Commission Chairman Richard Antonetti said police are the line of defense and line of service for citizens and the community, and that he is proud to have had Gavallas serving as chief, keeping that line in tact for all these years.
Retired Watertown police officer and Town Council member Louis C. Razza served with Gavallas for 37 years, calling him a knowledgeable and compassionate leader, and a tremendously dedicated friend.
Desena said the chief had an open-door policy, and “Anyone who came in to the police department, if they wanted to see the chief, they saw the chief.”
Gavallas took the time to address the personal needs of the community and the people who worked for him, Desena said, ensuring his officers had compassion for those they served.
“Violent crimes but really any crime that any one suffered, he instilled in all of us the need to reach out and make everyone feel that we would do all we could to help them in their time of need,” Desena said.
From his early days as a detective, Gavallas served as department spokesman and was always very transparent with information, Desena said, “firmly believing the public had a right to know.”
New Milford Police Chief Spencer S. Cerruto spent 31 years as an officer in Watertown, and said Gavallas is a role model for law enforcement throughout the state.
In the wake of several school shootings, Gavallas instituted the “Every School, Every Day,” program where a police cruiser would patrol every school in Watertown, including parochial campuses, every day at unannounced times. The no-cost program served as a comfort to families and staff, and deterrent to anyone planning harm, Gavallas said.
Several towns adopted the program and Gavallas was lauded for this proactive approach.
Gavallas said he was overwhelmed by the show of support on Wednesday.
He spent the last 10 months as interim town manager throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, advising residents in the early days to stay safe and remain calm as numbers of infections climbed and feelings of uncertainty loomed.
He said he will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve as interim town leader. “Without the support of the men and women of this department, and town officials, I would not have been able to succeed or been here this long,” Gavallas said.
Josh Bernegger said he considers himself fortunate to have worked for Gavallas for two years as deputy chief then acting chief while Gavallas was interim town manager.
Gavallas is leaving behind a well-run department, Bernegger said, one that is very community oriented, with men and women who are committed to the town.
Bernegger said the department will remain committed to practicing community-oriented policing.
“That is the future of policing, making sure law enforcement is integrated in every facet they serve,” Bernegger said.
Gavallas, the father of two and grandfather to four, said he plans to take a few months off but will keep active.
“I don’t plan on sitting home,” he said.
