Police Chief Under Contract Until 2012

Chief John Salvatore will continue to lead the Monroe Police Department, at least till next year. Salvatore had been working without a contract since 2009, until the Town Council unanimously approved a contract that expires in 2012.

"I want to publicly thank thank the police chief for all of his excellent service for the town of Monroe — above and beyond the call of duty," Town Council Vice Chairman Tony Unger said at the last Council meeting.

Salvatore was unavailable to comment for this story.

Human Resources Dir. Catherine Lombardi said Salvatore's last contract had expired on Dec. 1,2009 and that he has been without a contract nor a raise until the council approved the contract through 2012. It included a 1.5 percent raise from his $105,837 salary.

All non-union town employees received a 1.5 percent raise in the 2011-12 budget. First Selectman Steve Vavrek did not accept one.

Since being hired in 1998, Salvatore has strived to update his department's procedures and policies to comply with state standards, and for its officers to exude professionalism.

The Monroe Police Department earned Tier III accreditation from the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council and was re-accredited last November. Other area police department's have since used Monroe as an organizational model.