Norwich police swear in three officer recruits
Jan. 11—NORWICH — Norwich police swore in three officer recruits Wednesday and announced they will begin training Thursday at the Eastern Regional Police Academy in Norwich.
Recruits Michael Bates, 22, of Plainfield, Ryan Dunn, 24, of Colchester and Cody Nichols, 27, of Fairfield were sworn in Wednesday. If they complete the training successfully, they will graduate in April. Upon completion of the police academy, they will begin extensive field orientation training before being assigned to a shift within the department's Patrol Division.
Bates was raised in Plainfield and graduated from Plainfield High School in 2018. He then attended Mitchell College in New London, where he played on the baseball team for two years before attending Three Rivers Community College. He previously worked as an assistant store manager for Dick's Sporting Goods in Manchester.
Dunn grew up in Colchester and graduated from Bacon Academy in 2016. He graduated from Manchester Community College in 2018 with an associate degree in criminal justice. He attended Central Connecticut State University, receiving a bachelor's degree in criminology with a minor in psychology, graduating in 2021. Dunn previously worked at On the Rocks Restaurant in East Haddam.
Nichols was raised in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield Warde High School in 2013. He then attended Sacred Heart University receiving a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2018. Nichols started his law enforcement focus early, joining the Fairfield Police Explorers from 2008-2012, and then was hired as a special police officer in Fairfield from 2016-2020. He previously was employed by Iron Man Recycling and Waste Management in Danbury.
