Groton City Police Department Promotes Three Officers

The Groton City Police Department promoted three members of its department Monday, three officers recognized for training others, making crucial arrests and contributing to the community.

Harry Merritt and Bruce Lowe were promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Michael Masucci was promoted from corporal to sergeant.

The officers together have served for more than 58 years and have worked in the schools, patrolled the streets and trained other officers.

“Each of these people has made a considerable commitment to this community,” Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith said. She added that they should be praised for taking on a task “which is often heavy, which is sometimes lonely.”

Harry Merritt

Harry Merritt, promoted from sergeant to lieutenant, started with the Groton City Police in May 1987, after serving three years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was trained in special weapons and survival tactics in 1989 and served on the statewide narcotics task force from 1992 until 1993.

Merritt trains new officers in Groton and is the only instructor to obtain a perfect score from students in his class. He was recognized for actions including his response to the Charter Oak Credit Union robbery.

Merritt planned the wake and funeral of .

Bruce Lowe

Bruce Lowe, promoted from sergeant to lieutenant, was appointed patrol officer in Groton City in September 1990, and is a certified D.A.R.E. instructor and bike officer.

He served on the statewide narcotics task force from 1995 to 1996, and also served in the detective unit and as a community service officer, donating his time mentoring students at West Side Middle School.

Lowe was recognized for work including his role in seizing 6 pounds of marijuana and responding to a Jan. 31, 2004 double homicide.

Michael Masucci 

Michael Masucci, promoted from corporal to sergeant, started with the East Lyme Police Department in 1993, and was appointed to the Groton City Police Department in 1999.

He serves as a field training officer, mentoring new officers, and has served as a D.A.R.E instructor and certified infancy car installer. 

Masucci taught drug abuse resistance classes to fifth grade students in the city, and was recognized for planning the holiday festival and participating in the lights parade.

Future Officer

The city also recognized a future city police officer.

Jamon Jennings, of Norwich, starts a 22-week academy training program on Friday to prepare for his future role as an officer with the city police.

"it's something I've always been interested in," Jennings said. He said he was selective in his process of looking at departments.