Connecticut's Longest-Serving Police Chief Still Blazing Trails After 47 Years on the Job

By JOHN C. PETERSON, Interim Editor

If you knew what makes Connecticut’s longest serving police chief tick, you might not be that surprised to see the potted tomato plants in the solarium-like lobby of police headquarters.

It’s been 36 years of the unusual for Edmund H. Mosca as he has lead the Old Saybrook Police Department, plus another interesting 11 years as he rose quickly through the ranks to become the state’s then-youngest police chief at age 33.

It started back in 1960 — what he calls “the old days,” when he was a supernumerary looking to supplement his day job and support his growing family. There was no formal training and no requirements other than being ablebodied. Tests and standards were a long way off, and he thought the five dollars he earned for babysitting a basketball game or school dance was good money.

Officers shared cars in those days, but putting mileage on them was strongly discouraged. Back then a red light that hung on a Main Street pole was a signal for officers to call the station. In those days the phone also rang in the chief ’s house, and he might respond if no one else was available.

International Recognition

Ed Mosca, like police work, has come a long way. This year he will reach a new high in his very distinguished career when he’s sworn in for a three-year term as vice president at-large of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a group representing 22,000 members in 86 countries. It’s the first time anyone from Connecticut has held office in that organization in almost 60 years. That a chief from a force of 22 sworn officers in a quaint Connecticut town would rise to this level is rare. But people who know Ed Mosca know he can do big things.

The walls and shelves in his office are testimony that Mosca has experienced a great deal of “firsts” and made a lot of history in his years as a chief. Autographed photos of presidents, governors, senators, congressmen, and high-ranking law enforcement officials dot the walls, along with letters from many of them thanking him for his efforts and acknowledging his expertise and accomplishments.

Were Those Really 'Good Old Days?' Those "good old days" left a lot to be desired when you look at the 47-year career of Ed Mosca, Connecticut’s longest-serving police chief. When he started there were no radios, and officers shared cars. There was no Miranda warning to advise people of their constitutional rights and no restricting search warrants. There were no hiring standards or tests. Training was limited to insights others on the force might share. When he went to school right across the street from where the police station stands today, there was no paid police force. The population of the town was less than 3,000. State police handled the town, and there was a constable who directed traffic at the school. Interstate 95 had not been built. In the late 1950’s as the town grew and became a regional center, the police department evolved to five officers, but there was no daily full-time coverage. Officers had a great deal of leeway as they enforced the law. Each town had its own trial court which preceded the state’s circuit court system. Working conditions were difficult and dangerous. There were no labor laws or unions, so officers would work 13 days on and receive one day off. If your relief didn’t show for some reason, you stayed working. That’s just the way it was. The going rate for covering a dance or sporting event was $5, and Mosca thought that was good money in those days. Mosca was hired part-time as the sixth officer in 1960. The next year, amid a controversy over whether the town’s second traffic light should be installed, it was suggested the money would be better spent if a full-time position was created. For the same money, that officer was available for other coverage when he wasn’t directing traffic. “It was me or the traffic light,” Mosca quipped. He rose quickly through the ranks. Detective in 1963, sergeant in 1966, lieutenant in 1968, and in 1971, at age 33 with controversy about his age, he became the youngest police chief in the state. In the mid-1960’s things started to change. Standardized training was created, and strict hiring requirements started to evolve.Today the standards are so strict that departments have a difficult time finding people who can endure the rigors of the selection process. Mosca has been at the front of much of that progress in Connecticut, which he says has been a national leader in developing high standards for police officers and their training. “A better educated and more professional officer will make better decisions, and that’s what we must strive to do,” Mosca concluded.

The office also reflects plaques and commendations noting the last 30 years of service he has given to a variety of state, national, and international associations— committee work and key leadership roles in organizations such as the Law Enforcement Council of Eastern Connecticut, Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, and Police Association of Connecticut. He’s been appointed by four different governors to serve on a variety of state initiatives, and he’s been especially active on the Municipal Police Training Council.

Nationally he’s been recognized as a leading authority on law enforcement and the needs of local police departments. He has testified extensively at the state level and has appeared before panels of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He also testified for a U.S. Supreme Court nominee.

“Committed, dedicated passionate”

People who know him use words like “committed,” “dedicated,” and “passionate” to describe him. He’s a walking encyclopedia of pending legislation at the state and federal levels.

As a local chief he’s seen it all, including what he calls the big one, the day “unlike any other day.” That was the day two years ago when two of his officers were wounded in a shootout at a local motel. One was shot in the head and the other in the back and foot. While it was a difficult time for him and the department, it was also an event which underscored his philosophy and convictions as a police chief. “They were a product of their training. Everyone performed the way they were trained,” Mosca said.

“You train for these incidents and hope they never happen. But if they do, you pray you get it right,” he explained. In reconstructions of the shooting incident, a variety of other law enforcement agencies concurred the response of the officers was textbook perfect.

“My responsibility is to be sure they are properly equipped and trained and they’re as safe as they can be,” Mosca added. The officers recovered and returned to duty. The assailant recovered from his wounds and accepted a plea bargain for a 20-year sentence, a term which Mosca called ridiculous, given the circumstances of the incident and the fact that the accused was a convicted felon and career criminal with a long history of violence.

“We have to be the best at what we do; I couldn’t live with it any other way,” he said.

Longevity of chiefs tenuous

The longevity of police chiefs might be tenuous at times and prompt some of them to be tactful and not rock the boat. Whether the issue is lobbying for airconditioned cars or arguing for power windows in cruisers, that has not stopped Mosca. A chief ’s responsibility to the department and the community demands that you do the right thing, no matter how expensive or unpopular it might be, he believes. While he explains, a concrete truck passes through the department’s driveway to contribute its load to a new communications tower at the rear of the property. It’s part of a $2.6 million project that took six years to pass. It will eliminate “dead spots” where there is no coverage and will host a townwide communication system for all municipal agencies.

“No one wants to spend that kind of money, but it was my job to show officials and the voters it was necessary,” Mosca added.

Forty-seven years of law enforcement has given Mosca a front row seat on life and the things people do to themselves and each other. “I think I’ve seen it all, a few times over,” he observes, shaking his head. There have been six homicides on his watch. One that remains unsolved for 20 years still dogs him. It involves a 20-year-old woman whose body has never been recovered. Department members are convinced they have identified her killer, but after traveling the country for clues, they lack the evidence prosecutors feel they need for a conviction.

Justice a two-way street

Mosca is proud of the talent and experience that drives the Old Saybrook Police Department and is quick to point out the road of justice is a two-way street. It’s important to solve crimes, but it’s equally important to be sure innocent people are not swept up in the process. An example he cites happened several years ago when a year-old child died, and it appeared to be a clear case of abuse. The circumstances were highly unusual, and the activity of the adults involved was questionable. It was a highly emotional case, but as detectives pursued the facts, they were able to prove it was an unfortunate accident and not a deliberate act.

“You feel good about those, too,” Mosca commented. That personal satisfaction from doing your job well and helping people has been a tremendous reward and a big part of Mosca’s career, he says.

At 68 years old, Mosca plans to slow down eventually, but not for a while. He walks three and one-half miles before work every day and has embarked on a new weekend career of landscaping a new home with two acres of needy lawn, shrubs, and flowers. He was ready to retire last year until he was recruited to run for the vice presidency of the international chiefs’ group. His wife and town officials agreed it would be a great opportunity for him and the town and would also allow more time to develop the next generation of management within the department. He’s excited about the opportunities ahead.

Proud of family

He says he’s proudest of his family. He and his wife Dolores have five children and 11 grandchildren who all live nearby and keep him on the go with their school and sports activities. He tries hard not to miss any event, he says.

So what’s the story about the tomatoes in the lobby? Every year the local Garden Club decorates town buildings. When discussing the plan for the police department, someone joked about tomatoes. Mosca said, “Hey, why not?”

“You wouldn’t expect to see that in a police department, would you?” he quips when asked why they occupy a prime spot beside the doors.

So there they grow, straight and tall, just like that communications tower and so many other monuments to Ed Mosca’s determination.

Chief Mosca Career Highlights Old Saybrook Department of Police Services: Joined Old Saybrook Police Department in 1960 Promoted to Detective in 1963 Promoted to Sergeant in 1966 Promoted to Lieutenant in 1968 Promoted to Chief in 1971 Graduate of the FBI National Academy 99th Session - 1974 State of Connecticut Gubernatorial Appointments: Police Officers Standards and Training Council, 1995 to present Vice Chairman Chair, Municipal Police Training Council, 1991 Acting Executive Director, MPTC, 1989 (10-Month Term) Chair, Municipal Police Training Council, 1985 Municipal Police Training Council, 1980 Connecticut Justice Commission, 1978 Connecticut Communications Coordinating Committee, 1972-1973 New England Association of Chiefs of Police: Host Chief, Annual Conference, 2001, 2007, 2008 Connecticut Police Chiefs Association: Nominating Committee, 1984-1997 Legislative Committee, 1985-1993 Police Chiefs Selection Committee, 1986-1993 President, 1983 Critical Issues Committee Chairman, 1981-1985 Judicial Liaison Committee Education Committee, 1979-1985 Police Association of Connecticut: Executive Committee 1979 to present Life member and permanent member Treasurer 1979-1999. Legislative Committee 1986-1999, Chairman Law Enforcement Council of Eastern Connecticut: Member 1979 to present Served as Chairman for 3-year and 2-year terms Awards, Recognitions, Community Accomplishments: Longest serving police chief in the State of Connecticut Middlesex County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, 2003 Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellowship Award, 2003 Old Saybrook Rotary Club President, 1980 Rotary Club, Active Member 1972 to present