[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 195 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE CAREER OF CHIEF BRETT MAHONEY

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding, 
distinguished career of Police Chief Brett Mahoney of Waterford, 
Connecticut. After more than 26 years of diligent service to the town 
of Waterford, Chief Mahoney ``pulled the pin'' and retired on October 
29, 2021. He was sent off at a well-attended retirement ceremony where 
the department and town officials took the opportunity in heartfelt 
remarks to remember Chief Mahoney just as he is: a highly talented, 
good-natured community member and a dedicated public servant.
  As a native of nearby Westbrook, Connecticut, Brett steered his drive 
and focus toward bettering Connecticut from an early age. He placed 
high value in obtaining an education, graduating with a bachelor's in 
English Literature from Central Connecticut State University. Upon 
obtaining his first degree, Brett eagerly began his work in Connecticut 
law enforcement with a brief stint at the East Hampton Police 
Department before starting his nearly three-decade-long journey with 
Waterford Police in 1995. In his first few years as a Waterford patrol 
officer, Brett distinguished himself within the department by dutifully 
serving on task forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well 
as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. His valuable 
contributions to the force were rightfully recognized by the department 
as he rose through the ranks to Sergeant in 1999 and then to Lieutenant 
in 2005. During his time as Lieutenant, Brett committed himself to 
advancing his law enforcement education, graduating from the FBI 
National Academy in 2012 and returning to Central Connecticut to earn a 
master's degree in Criminal Justice. His work with the FBI is something 
I particularly appreciate, since my father Robert Courtney who spent 
his retirement years in Waterford served in the FBI during World War II 
in its Manhattan office.
  In October 2015, Lieutenant Mahoney was promoted to Waterford's Chief 
of Police. It was not just his accomplished background that produced 
this promotion, but also his obvious leadership qualities. As Chief, 
Brett led the department with compassion for his community and 
commitment to ensure the department's success by modernizing and 
enhancing its members' capabilities. Chief Mahoney strengthened 
community engagement by integrating 21st technology into the town and 
department. During his time as Chief, Brett became chairman of the 
town's Information Technology Committee and oversaw the department-wide 
rollout of body cameras for all Waterford officers, building upon an 
already existent brand of transparency with the community.
  Brett's transformational leadership extended far beyond the 
department. Chief Mahoney utilized the department as a stalwart 
supporter in community outreach efforts like the Waterford Youth and 
Family Services 2020 Turkey Drive and breast cancer fundraisers for 
Waterford-led foundations. Chief Mahoney also initiated one of the 
first-of-its-kind programs in Connecticut, where Waterford officers 
were trained to connect and interact with community members diagnosed 
with cognitive impairments so that they had greater sensitivity and 
awareness with the town's more vulnerable population. Through this new 
program, first responders have honed their emergency response tactics 
and gained a refined understanding of the needs of their fellow 
community members. Chief Mahoney's emphasis on positive departmental 
and community change coupled with his genuine compassion for Waterford 
has undoubtedly left the town and the police department in a stronger, 
better position than it was 26 years ago.
  Madam Speaker, as the representative for the town of Waterford, 
Connecticut I can firmly state that it is constituents like Brett 
Mahoney whose dedication to their community represents the best of 
Eastern Connecticut's spirit. Even though he is stepping away from the 
department, Chief Mahoney has affirmed that his heart will always lay 
with the Town of Waterford and that he will continue to support the 
local department any way he can as a resident. Now that he has 
positioned the department for greater success along with the help of 
his colleagues, Brett will embark on a new chapter with his family--his 
wife, Michelle, and two daughters Marin and Clara--as deputy chief of 
police with the University of New Haven. To that end, I ask my 
colleagues in the House to join me in honoring and thanking Waterford 
Police Chief Brett Mahoney for his exemplary service and to wish the 
Mahoney family all the best on their new path in life.

                          ____________________