Fairfielddeputypolice chief retires, takes Fairfield University public safety job
Jul. 29—Edward Weihe, a police captain who has spearheaded community policing in Fairfield through mental health and addiction services and local partnerships, took over the deputy post Friday after First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick swore him into office, according to a subsequent police post Monday.
Broderick's departure marks the culmination of a roughly 1.5-year stint in the position and a three decade-long tenure in the department.
"We wish him great success in this exciting new endeavor, confident that he will continue to make a positive impact in the field of public safety and the Fairfield community as a whole," the Facebook post announcing his retirement from the department reads.
Broderick helped introduce the department's firearms training and establish its active shooter and Taser programs earlier in his career as a sergeant, when he also worked in the patrol division, according to the Facebook post.
Broderick continued in the patrol division as he rose to the rank of lieutenant in 2010, handling "critical incidents and severe weather emergencies" while acting as an instructor "in several areas," the Facebook post states. He started overseeing the department's Special Services Bureau in 2020, spanning the Marine Unit, Emergency Communications Center, special police, as well as school and traffic safety, according to the department.
Jennifer Anderson, the vice president of marketing and communications at Fairfield University, said Capt. Robert Didato, the associate director of the university's Department of Public Safety, will continue serving as associate director alongside Broderick. She declined to say when Broderick will start his job at the university.
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"Fairfield University welcomes Keith Broderick and values the experience he brings to our Department of Public Safety," she said in an email. "He joins an exceptional team committed to ensuring a safe learning, living and working environment for our students, faculty and staff."
Broderick joined Fairfield's department as a special officer in 1991, leading to his official hire as a full-time officer in 1993. He went on to serve as one of Fairfield's first-two "bike officers" in 1999 before becoming a detective and later a sergeant in 2000, according to the department.
Broderick headed the Fairfield Police Union for 13 years since ascending to its presidency in 2007, according to the Facebook post. He created the Police Union Scholarship Fund in 2014 for the children of Fairfield officers entering college from any of the four high schools in town, the post states. He directed the distribution of more than $250,000, per the department.
Weihe, a former elementary school teacher in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York, has led the charge in integrating community policing within the department over the past several years. He has helped the department secure a social worker, tightened relationships between police and local faith leaders and launched the School Safety Division to implement "security policies, plans and infrastructure" after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, according to the department.
He also co-chaired the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network, which provides local mental health and addiction support, and managed the Crisis Intervention Program, which has aided locals with mental health and addiction issues and received national attention from the American Psychological Association.
"His wealth of experience, innovative ideas and dedication to service make him the perfect candidate to ensure the safety and well-being of the Fairfield community," the Facebook post announcing Weihe's appointment states.
