Bridgeport City Council’s Monday evening meeting proved to be one of the shortest ones in recent memory, but it did manage to cover a bit of ground. In fact, one item should help make one of the city’s most critical departments run smoother.

 

Bridgeport Police Officers A. Scott Floyd, L. Mark Rogers and Brett W. Stewart were sworn in as the department’s newest sergeants last night. Each officer was either pinned by a family member or by Chief John Walker.

 

“This will provide for a much more efficient operation of the department,” said Walker.

 

At a later date, Officer Chris Barto will also be sworn in as a sergeant. Barto was unable to attend due to recovering from an injury, Walker said.

 

The new sergeant division was allowed for by the Bridgeport City Council. The newly ranked officers, something long supported by Walker, will now allow each shift and the detective division to have supervision regardless of the staffing or situation.

 

While those matters were being handled, a handful of other items were also addressed. Most notable was the presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer to members of the group HOPE, Inc. The proclamation declares April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Bridgeport.

 

A date was also set by the city’s governing body for a special council meeting. The date approved for the meeting to lay the levy rates is Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 a.m. There will be enough members available at that time in order to have a quorum.

 

The meeting last less than 30 minutes. It began with an invocation by Dr. Dan Kimble of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church and ended with words from Council member John Wilson just prior to the adjournment being called for and approved.

 

There was no executive session after the meeting. There was no work session before the meeting.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows A. Scott Floyd having his new badge pinned to him, while the middle photo shows Brett W. Stewart being sworn in by Mayor Robert "Bob" Greer. Photo below is of L. Mark Rogers having his new sergeant's badge being pinned on him.