Crime & Safety

Assistant Chief Leaves West Hartford for Chief Position in Florida

Assistant Chief Joseph LaSata has been named chief of the Rockledge Florida Police Department.

Joseph LaSata, a 22-year-veteran of the West Hartford Police Department, has left the position of assistant chief in West Hartford to take over a 55-person department in Florida effective today. He has been named chief of the Rockledge Police Department in Brevard County.

"Joe was a cops' cop. He never forgot that he was a police officer first," said West Hartford Chief Tracey Gove. "He was one of those people who had natural leadership abilities."

West Hartford Captain Frank Fallon said that the highly-decorated LaSata had compiled a "spectacular record" during his 22-year tenure, and had worked in every division of the department. "He is definitely going to be missed," Fallon said.

"I knew he wanted to be a chief of police, and he is very talented," said Gove. LaSata had held every rank and commanded every division in West Hartford, and Gove said that this "was a good move for him."

Gove said that he is working with the personnel department on the internal promotion process, and he hopes to have a permanent replacement in the assistant chief role by mid-July. Gove said that in the past the assistant chief job has been open to anyone in the department with the rank of lieutenant or higher. An interim will not be named, he said.

LaSata, 47, was promoted to assistant chief in West Hartford in January 2012. He has a bachelor's degree from American International College and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.


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