Newly promoted officers in the Westport Police Department are, from left, Sgts. Dan Paz and Howard Simpson, Lieut. Sereniti Dobson and Capt. David Wolf. / Contributed photo

WESTPORT — Four Westport police officers advanced in rank at a promotion ceremony last week.

Officers promoted were: Lieut. David Wolf to the rank of captain, Sgt. Sereniti Dobson to lieutenant and Cpls. Howard Simpson and Dan Paz to sergeant.

Police Chief Foti Koskinas told the Friday gathering, “These officers should be congratulated and recognized for their hard work and dedication both to their profession and the Westport community,” according to a release from the Police Department.

Capt. Wolf, hired as a patrol officer in 2001, has served as a DARE officer as well as a field training officer. 

A lawyer, he is a certified law-enforcement instructor, teaching in the areas of search and seizure, civil liability and landlord/tenant law. He was the assistant commander of the Southwest Emergency Response Team’s Crisis Negotiator Unit and the coordinator for Westport Police Crisis Intervention Team.

Wolf was promoted to sergeant in 2014 and to lieutenant in 2017. As a Lieutenant, he served as a shift commander in the patrol division and most recently as the administrative lieutenant/public information officer. 

Wolf received his Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Franklin and Marshall College and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut Law School in 2015. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar Association in 2016. He will be assigned to professional standards.

Capt. David Wolf, promoted from the rank of lieutenant, is sworn in by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker. / Contributed photos
Lieut. Sereniti Dobson, promoted from sergeant, is sworn in by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker.

Lieut. Dobson, hired as a patrol officer in 2006, was promoted to detective in 2009.

She was assigned to the Youth Bureau and was responsible for investigating crimes against children and juvenile matters. She was an affiliate of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and helped establish the first juvenile review board, a diversionary program for Westport.

In 2015, she was promoted to sergeant and in 2017 she returned to the Patrol Division.

Dobson received her Associate’s Degree in criminal justice from Norwalk Community College and her Bachelor of Science Degree in investigative services from the University of New Haven. 

She has received several awards, including  the Chief’s Commendation and Investigative Ribbons. In 2018, she was recognized by the Westport Rotary Club with the Public Safety Award and by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.She has been recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for her outstanding service and performance in a homicide investigation.

Dobson also served as treasurer for the Police Benevolent Association from 2009-18 and as treasurer for the Police Union from 2014-18. She will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

Sgt. Simpson, hired as a patrol officer in 2003, was promoted to corporal in 2014. 

Sgts. Howard Simpson, left, and Dan Paz, promoted from the rank of corporal, are sworn in by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker. / Contributed photo

Prior to joining the Westport Police Department, Simpson spent 10 years in law enforcement with the Milford Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  

He is EMT certified, an Intoxilyzer and Taser instructor, and has been a member of the Accident Investigation Team, Marine Division and Police Union Executive Board, where he served as president for sevenyears. Simpson will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

Sgt. Paz transferred to the Westport police force in 2014 from Bridgeport, where he was an officer for three years. He serves on several specialized units, including the Southwest Region Emergency Response Team, where he is an assistant team leader and master breacher. He also is a member of the Motorcycle Unit and Accident Reconstruction Team.

Paz, promoted to corporal in 2018, has served as a field training officer. He also is an instructor in the disciplines of firearms, arrest and control, de-escalation, handcuffing, caton, OC spray, Taser, armored vehicle operations, breaching and active shooter. 

Paz also has been a member of the union’s executive board for four years. He will be assigned to the Patrol Division.