New officers sworn in

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Naugatuck Mayor Robert Mezzo, center, stands with new police officers, Stephen Fortin, left, and Rebecca St. George, right, following their swearing in at Naugatuck Town Hall on Thursday. The new officers will spend about six months in the police academy before returning to Naugatuck. –REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
Naugatuck Mayor Robert Mezzo, center, stands with new police officers, Stephen Fortin, left, and Rebecca St. George, right, following their swearing in at Naugatuck Town Hall on Thursday. The new officers will spend about six months in the police academy before returning to Naugatuck. –REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

NAUGATUCK — One is a lifelong borough resident and Army veteran who wants to serve his community.

The other comes from a family of police officers; she wants to help people locally and possibly one day work for the FBI, helping to stop human trafficking.

Stephen Fortin, 27, and Rebecca St. George, 26, were sworn in as members of the Naugatuck Police Department during a ceremony Thursday morning at Naugatuck Town Hall. They will spend the next six months training at the police academy before heading back to Naugatuck for field training.

Fortin, who grew up in Naugatuck, said he is excited and believes the selflessness and ability to help people that are involved in the military are the same qualities that drew him to law enforcement. He said he discovered he wanted to be a police officer while taking classes at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

Fortin put his studies on hold to join the Army, where he is now a specialist, and plans to finish his degree in criminal justice.

Beacon Falls First Selectman Chris Bielik, right, stands with the town’s newest police officer, Toby Geiger, after a swearing in ceremony Friday in Beacon Falls Town Hall. –CONTRIBUTED
Beacon Falls First Selectman Chris Bielik, right, stands with the town’s newest police officer, Toby Geiger, after a swearing in ceremony Friday in Beacon Falls Town Hall. –CONTRIBUTED

St. George, who grew up in Southington, has a bachelor’s degree in history and also studied sociology at Central Connecticut State University. Law enforcement is in her blood.

“I’m really excited to have a job that really puts you in the community,” she said. “I feel like it’s really meaningful and there is a lot of pride involved in the job, as well.”

Beacon Falls also swore in its latest part-time officer this week.

Toby Geiger was sworn in Friday during a ceremony at Beacon Falls Town Hall. Geiger, who is a retired officer from Torrington, will start his first shift Monday.

Elio Gugliotti contributed to this article.