Fairfield Police Chief Retiring After Decades With Department

FAIRFIELD, CT — After nearly four decades of service with the Fairfield Police Department, Chief Christopher Lyddy will retire in January 2021, the department announced Wednesday.

"Looking back on my 38-year career, I have been blessed to work alongside some of the finest individuals this profession has ever produced," Lyddy said in a department news release. "I am the product of many officers and supervisors who came before me and shaped me through the years."

Lyddy was first introduced to the department in 1976 at age 16, when he joined the Fairfield Police Explorer Program. Three years later, while pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, he was hired as a special officer in Fairfield to work the summer and holiday seasons.

Lyddy joined the department as a patrolman in 1982, and over the years he rose through the ranks as a detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2010 before being sworn in as the chief of police in January 2019.

Throughout his career, Lyddy has served in various positions that have helped to bring new and innovative policing approaches to the department. These advancements have included state-of-the-art equipment such as in-car report writing, computer-aided dispatch, a robust records management system, license plate reader technology and automated fingerprint identification systems, according to the department.

“I was impressed with Chief Lyddy’s thoughtful approach over the years and have relied on his experience and vast knowledge as first selectwoman over the last year," First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in the news release. "The town of Fairfield has benefited greatly from Chief Lyddy’s professionalism and long dedicated service to our community."

Lyddy will retire Jan. 22. The department will begin the process of selecting a new chief immediately, and the position is expected to be filled upon the date of Lyddy’s retirement.

"I have no doubt that I am leaving the agency in extraordinarily capable hands as the current men and women of the Fairfield Police Department are individually and collectively the best of the best," Lyddy said in the news release. "It has been a sincere honor and privilege to serve this great community with each of our officers."