Stonington police department offering position to New London sergeant

Stonington - The police department has extended a conditional offer of employment to veteran New London police Sgt. George Potts Jr.

Potts, who is one of two new officers slated to be sworn in next month, will be become the latest in a string of veteran officers to leave the New London department for new jobs.

Potts, a New London native who has been on the force the past 22 years, declined to comment Thursday until he is officially sworn in.

Stonington Police Chief J. Darren Stewart said Potts has a great deal of experience, knowledge, an excellent reputation and many years of dedicated service.

Interim Mashantucket Police Chief Bill Dittman, who recently retired from the New London department, called Potts Thursday "a great steal for the Town of Stonington."

"I wish I could have got him. He's a people person. He can deal with everyone," Dittman said. "He's just a great cop. You don't find them better than him.

Potts was initially a candidate for New London City Council last fall but left the race because his candidacy appeared to violate the federal Hatch Act.