Police Leadership

Police Advisors

Who are the Post Advisors?

The Police Advisors to the Police Cadet Program are dedicated officers of the Fairfield Police Department, all of whom are former Police Cadets from various posts around Connecticut. The role of the Advisors is to instruct Police Cadets on different law enforcement topics. Additionally, they provide the tools and skills to the Ranking Cadets, who are responsible for coordinating both meetings and events. Advisors receive Youth Protection Training from the North East Regional Law Enforcement Education Association.

Program Coordinator
Lieutenant Christopher Mastronardi is the Field Services Bureau Commander for the Fairfield Police Department. As a distinguished member of the Fairfield Police Department Command Staff, he has taken a great interest in the development of the community's youth cadet members.

Lead Advisor
Sergeant Richard Peck
Sergeant Peck was a CT State Police Cadet/Explorer before becoming a Fairfield Police Officer. Since then, he has served as a Field Training Officer, ran the Fairfield Citizens Police Academy, and earned the Unit Citation, Officer of The Quarter Citation, and Distinguished Service Award. In 2021 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As the Lead Advisor for the program, Sergeant Peck oversees the administrative duties of the Fairfield Cadet Program and is in charge of the day to day operations.

In addition to his work with the Fairfield Police Department, Sergeant Peck is an active member with NERLEEA. He serves on the executive board as Secretary, is the Cadet Academy Assistant Director of Basic Program, and is the Director for both the Cadet Skills Day and Cadet Tactical Challenge Competition.

Leadership Philosophy:
I believe in leading with integrity, hard work, compassion, accountability, and courage. I believe in placing trust in those I lead and working every day to earn their trust in return. I believe the collective wisdom of a team will always surpass that of any individual, and that the best ideas should rise to the top, regardless of rank, title, or who presents them.
I believe “good enough” is never enough. I give 100% effort in everything I do and expect the same from those around me. We must hold each other to that standard every day. I believe that each team member brings unique strengths to the table, and that our diversity is what makes us stronger. When we work together toward a shared vision, I believe there is no limit to what we can achieve.
I believe in a true north that I will never betray, my morals, my ethics, and the values instilled in me by my parents, mentors, and the leaders who shaped me.
I believe in GUTS: Get Your Job Done—be accountable. Unity: work together. Tenacity: pursue excellence every day. Savage: be bold, creative, and relentless in solving any problem your team faces.

Assistant Lead Advisor
Sergeant Jenna Wellington
Sergeant Wellington was a Trumbull Police Cadet/Explorer from 2009 to 2015, ending her tenure serving as Cadet Captain of the program. She has been a Fairfield Police Officer since 2018 and since then has served as a Field Training Officer, on the Crisis Intervention Team, earned a Unit Citation and Officer of the Quarter Citation. Sergeant Wellington is currently the Public Information Officer in charge of Community Outreach for the Fairfield Police Department.

As a Assistant Lead Advisor, Officer Wellington provides course instruction to the cadets during Monday's meetings, coordinates the promotional process for the ranking cadets, and provides weekly instructions to the post captain. Officer Wellington serves as a NERLEEA Trustee and is the Assistant Director of the Cadet Police Academy Mock Police Department.

Leadership Philosophy:
As a former police cadet, I know firsthand the impact this program can have. It was through the Trumbull Police Cadets that I found my voice, formed lifelong friendships, and developed a strong work ethic that continues to guide me in my career today. The cadet program doesn’t just teach law enforcement, it shapes confident, capable young adults ready to take on any challenge. My personal life motto is that of the Trumbull Police Cadets: Adapt and Overcome. I’m proud to now serve as an advisor in the Fairfield Police Cadet Program and help provide that same opportunity to the next generation.

Police Advisor
Officer Sara Ball
Sara Ball has been Police Officer since 2019, and with Fairfield PD since 2022. Sara is currently assigned to the patrol division and serves as a member of the Criss Intervention Team (CIT). Sara decided to become a police officer after joining the Trumbull Police Cadets in high school. Sara is now one of the advisors for the Fairfield Police Cadet Program where she’s helps mentor the cadets as a way to give back to the program that inspired her to become an officer.

Sara has a B.S in Forensic Psychology and a M.S in Criminal Justice from University of New Haven. In her free time Sara enjoys running, doing puzzles, and spending time with her family.

Police Advisor
Officer Jon Simmons
Officer Simmons, a former Bridgeport Police Cadet transferred from the Bridgeport Police Department and is currently a Fairfield Police Officer in the Patrol Division. Officer Simmons assists with meetings and events.

Jonathan Simmons was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT. While attending Central High School in addition to the Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture School, Jonathan found his passion for policing in 2007 when he became a Young Adult Police Commissioner as well as a Police Explorer (Cadet). Within both of these programs, he was given many opportunities that many inner city youth do not experience. These programs aided him in joining the Connecticut Army National guard in 2014. In 2016, Jonathan was hired by the Bridgeport Police Department where he was given the opportunity to give back to his community through the Police Cadets and other community oriented programs. After a successful 6 year career in Bridgeport, Jonathan was hired by the Fairfield Police Department where he carried the same 'Community service' mentality as he continues to share his time with the police Cadets. He is also a part of the bicycle unit where Jonathan is given the opportunity to interact with the community in a more unique way. When not at work, Jonathan is spending family time with his Fiance Samantha, son Ashton and their many household pets. Jonathan is forever grateful to the opportunities and experiences that were exposed to him at a young age which he has and will forever pass down to our future generations of youth.

Police Advisor
Officer Kevin Wells
Previously a Fairfield Police Explorer, Officer Wells has been a Fairfield Police Officer since 1999. He is currently assigned to the traffic division, where he is an Accident Re-Constructionist, Field Training Officer, Bike Officer, and formally a K9 Officer. His partner, K9 Jagger, was a narcotics/tracking trained police K-9, who assisted Officer Wells in teaching the Cadets.

Officer Wells serves as a Trustee for NERLEEA, and is the Director of the Cadet Police Academy Bike Program.

Police Advisor
Detective Belinda Papageorge
Fairfield native, Detective Papageorge, a former Fairfield Police Cadet has been a Fairfield Officer since 1994 and has since risen through the ranks to become a Fairfield Police Detective. Detective Papageorge is the coordinator for Shred Day, one of the only fundraisers for the Cadet Program.

Police Advisor
Officer Nicholas Bay
Nicholas Bay, 35, grew up in Carmel, New York. His upbringing in this small town shaped his early interests and values, instilling in him a strong sense of community and a deep connection to nature. Throughout his life, Nicholas has carried forward the lessons of his hometown, blending them with personal and professional experiences to create a well-rounded and grounded approach to life.

He began his law enforcement career in January 2013 when he joined the NYPD. He initially served in the Transit Bureau, patrolling subways and bus stations, before transitioning to street crime patrol and eventually becoming a decorated motorcycle officer.

In October 2021, he joined the Fairfield Police Department, where he has served in the Patrol Division and the School Safety Division, and continues to work as a motorcycle officer. Nicholas has been a dedicated advisor for the Fairfield Police Cadet Program since July 2025.