Appointment of David Knowles as GLP Police Chief

Dear Groton Long Point Residents,

I am pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors has appointed David Knowles to be the next Chief of the Groton Long Point Police Department, effective August 27, 2018.  Some of you may know him already, since he currently serves as a part-time officer in the Department. 

This appointment follows a careful search and selection process in which the Board was assisted by a Search Committee consisting of your Association President, the Director of Public Safety, Scott Smith, Board member Lesley Mahoney, Michael Spellman Chief of the City of Groton Police Department, and GLP residents Gay Tyler Gallagher and Saranne Murray Foley.  The committee reviewed the qualifications of 13 applicants, interviewed five of those, and recommended three candidates for consideration by the Board of Directors.  The Committee and the Board agreed that Chief Knowles was the best candidate. 

Chief Knowles is highly qualified for the position.  He has a Bachelor’s degree in biology and forensic science and a Master’s degree in computer information systems.  In addition, he attended the Northeast Institute of Law Enforcement Management, and he is a certified Fire/Arson Investigator and a Law Enforcement Instructor.  Chief Knowles was an officer in the Stonington Police Department for over 30 years.  During his career there, he held the positions of patrol officer, youth officer and patrol sergeant before spending 17 years as the detective sergeant overseeing all detectives and criminal investigations.  After retiring from Stonington, Chief Knowles worked as the manager of security services for a large private employer in the area. 

Chief Knowles is committed to fostering the community policing philosophy of the Groton Long Point Police Department.  He will serve, as did Chief Nixon, as a working Chief and welcomes contacts with residents.  He also can call on other law enforcement resources in the region due to his history of participation in the Law Enforcement Council of Southeastern Connecticut, as well as his contacts in other police departments and the State’s Attorney’s office.

We are fortunate that Chief Knowles accepted our offer and will work with Chief Nixon to ensure a smooth transition.  Please welcome Chief Knowles. 

Sincerely,
Michael J. Flynn
President