Torrington promotes Madeline Gellamino to sergeant; first woman in department's supervisory ranks

The Torrington Board of Public Safety on Wednesday promoted Detective Madeline Gellamino to the rank of sergeant and confirmed another officer's completion of probation.

Chief Baldwin introduced Gellamino at a small ceremony after the board voted to approve the promotion on the recommendation of the chief. Commissioner Joel McLeod moved the promotion and Commissioner Doug Benedetto seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Gellamino, a 22-year veteran of the Torrington Police Department who has served 12 years in the detective division, will serve as the patrol supervisor on the evening shift and wear badge number 315. "Promotions are not given. They are earned," Chief Baldwin said, adding that the promotion follows a recommendation from department leadership. Baldwin also asked the room to observe a moment of silence for the late Sergeant Nicholas Littery before remarks on the promotion.

Deputy Chief Barone described the sergeant role to the assembled guests: "A Torrington police sergeant is a supervisor who is traditionally assigned to supervise a shift or specialized unit...the sergeant's rank is the most important rank in the police organization." Madeline Gellamino took the oath of office administered by Mayor Eleanor Carbone and received her badge in a pinning performed by her husband, Darren Gellamino.

The chief recited Gellamino's service record: prior assignment in the narcotics unit; appointment as the department's first school resource officer at Torrington High School; membership on Connecticut Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Investigation Team (MDT) and the Internet Crimes Against Children task force; bilingual Spanish skills; a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Interamericana University of Puerto Rico; and multiple departmental awards, including two exceptional duty medals. Baldwin also noted Gellamino's long involvement with the Torrington Police Cadet Program and local Special Olympics fundraising and service efforts.

Separately, the board accepted Officer Nicole Mueller as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department after she completed her probationary period effective Aug. 5, 2025. Commissioner McLeod moved the probation confirmation; Commissioner Benedetto seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

The chief and deputy chief thanked family members, department staff and community members who attended the ceremony.