Groton ― Town Police Chief L.J. Fusaro on Thursday swore in the department’s newest police officer, bringing the department to a fully staffed level of 70 officers.

Probationary Officer Kyle Cipriano of Waterbury serves as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 192nd Military Police Battalion of the Connecticut Army National Guard. A graduate from the University of Connecticut, Cipriano will attend the first session of the newly formed Law Enforcement Council of Connecticut Police Academy in Norwich beginning in January.

Cipriano is the 11th officer hired in 2022 to fill vacancies due to retirements and attrition since 2020.

“We are fortunate to have such a great group of new officers who come to the department with a wide range of education, military and life experiences,” Fusaro said in a statement. “They are welcome additions who we are proud to have on our team and I expect them to provide outstanding service to the citizens of Groton.”