Headlines
As reported by The Hartford Courant, November 4, 2005.
Police Chief Leaving After Long Career
By Daniel P. Jones
AVON -- Avon Police Chief Peter Agnesi is leaving after four years on that job and nearly 30 years with the department to become the head of public safety at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington.
"He's got the highest level of professionalism and integrity, and he's done a superlative job," said Town Manager Phil Schenck, who announced Agnesi's resignation Thursday.
Agnesi, 49, rose through the ranks and was appointed chief in November 2001. He will leave the department Dec. 1.
"It was a very difficult decision. It's been my home for 29 years," Agnesi said. "I'm very fortunate I've been blessed to have a career here. I'm doubly blessed to be able to have another career close to here."
As police chief in Avon, Agnesi has supervised 30 police officers and six civilian workers.
As director of public safety at the health center, he will be in charge of 51 employees, including campus police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and administrative staff, said health center spokeswoman Carolyn Pennington.
Agnesi also will oversee the security of campus properties and advise senior health center managers about safety and security matters. He said he will begin his new job Dec. 9.
Capt. Mark Rinaldo will become acting police chief on Dec. 2, Schenck said, adding that the process for selecting a new chief has not been worked out. Under the town charter, the town manager is responsible for hiring the police chief, but Schenck said he intends to get input from the town council.
Rinaldo has worked with Agnesi for eight years.
"He's just been a good person to work with, a great friend and a good team member," Rinaldo said of the departing chief.