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.

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
Officer Ball, a former Trumbull Police Cadet, transferred from the Trumbull Police Department and is currently a Fairfield Police Officer in the Patrol Division. Officer Ball assists with meetings and events, and during the Cadet Police Academy is a safety officer for Mock Police Department Scenarios.

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.

Police Advisor
k-9 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 K9 Officer. His partner, K9 Jagger is a narcotics/tracking trained police K-9, who assists 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
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.