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Deputy Police Chief Fotios Koskinas will be promoted to chief April 1, and Call will remain at the department in an advisory capacity until June 30 to ensure a smooth transition, First Selectman James Marpe said.
“I’ve quite literally been here my entire adult life,” said Call, who followed his father, the late Westport Police Inspector George Call, into police work. “It’s a bittersweet moment.”
Marpe noted that Call, a Westport native, has been a full-time police officer since 1984, having joined the force as a special police officer in 1981.
“His impressive rise through the ranks since that time is indicative of his intelligence, his fierce devotion, drive and determination,” Marpe said. “In good times and bad, Dale’s calm, level-headed and pragmatic demeanor has proven to be a very positive influence on our community.”
Call was promoted to sergeant in 1993, and he became an inspector in 2001, rising to administrative lieutenant, detective commander and deputy chief before being named chief in 2011.
A 1980 graduate of Staples High School, he holds several degrees and certificates and is a graduate of the 233rd session of the FBI National Academy.
He received a meritorious service award, three honorable police service awards, five unit citations, and a lifesaving award, as well as a certificate of special recognition from U.S. Sen Richard Blumenthal for his outstanding work on behalf of domestic violence victims.
In 1997, he was recognized by the Bronx County Society for Child Abuse and the commanding officer of the New York Police Department Street Crime Unit for assisting with his bloodhound in the manhunt for the killer of a NYPD officer.
Koskinas began his a career as a Westport police officer in 1996. He was promoted to sergeant in 2006 and captain in 2009. He became deputy chief in 2011.
He has supervised the operations and support captains and is responsible for patrol, crime investigation, EMS, marine operations, juvenile, traffic control, railroad parking and other duties. Like Call, he has been a K9 handler for 11 years.
Koskinas received a medal of valor from the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association for extraordinary heroism for his actions in rescuing a kidnapping victim from an armed murder suspect on I-95. He also earned the department’s medal of valor, four commendations, six honorable police service awards, two lifesaving awards, four unit citations and an investigators ribbon.
Born in Greece, Koskinas graduated from Staples High School and lives in Fairfield with his wife and two daughters.
In addition to Koskinas’ promotion, Capts. Sam Arciola and Vincent Penna, both Westport residents, will become deputy chiefs on April 1.
“Westporters are fortunate that our current police department has positioned itself for leadership succession with personnel who are well trained and familiar with our town,” Marpe said. “Most importantly, our public safety will never be compromised.”
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