New Police Chief Named In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — Deputy Chief John Ventura has been named Wallingford’s next police chief, Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. announced Monday.

Ventura’s appointment is effective July 1.

“Deputy Chief Ventura participated in a selection process that included candidates from outside local government experience,” Dickinson said in a news release. “He possesses the knowledge, experience and temperament to lead our police department.”

Current Police Chief William Wright announced in April that he was retiring July 1 after 25 years with the department.

Ventura, who has been with the department since 2003, has steadily risen in the ranks, according to Dickinson. His responsibilities progressed from detective from 2006 to 2012, to sergeant in 2012, to detective sergeant from 2012 to 2015, to lieutenant from 2015 to 2019. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2019.

From 2015 to 2019, Ventura served as team commander of the 17-person combined Wallingford-Cheshire Emergency Response Team. He also supervises the new Police Department Community Impact Unit.

Ventura attended Stonehill College and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. He is close to completing work for a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Albertus Magnus College and is a graduate of the Executive Development program at Roger Williams University, according to the news release.