Robert Kalamaras, a 21-year veteran of the department, was sworn in as the new Chief of Police during a ceremony at the Penfield Pavilion on Friday, Jan. 22. (Photo courtesy Fairfield Police Department) 
Robert Kalamaras is sworn in as Chief of Police by Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick (right) on Friday, Jan. 22. (Photo courtesy Fairfield Police Department) 
Chief Robert Kalamaras’ badge is pinned on by his wife, Nicole Kalamaras, during the swearing-in ceremony on Friday, Jan. 22, with daughters Marin and Elyssa also present. (Photo courtesy Fairfield Police Department) 
Chief Robert Kalamaras (right) speaks at the swearing-in ceremony on Friday, Jan. 22. (Photo courtesy Fairfield Police Department)
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Police Department is pleased to announce that Robert Kalamaras has officially begun his new role as Chief.
Chief Kalamaras, a 21-year veteran of the department, was sworn in during a ceremony at the Penfield Pavilion Friday.
“I am humbled and honored to have been entrusted with the job of leading the Fairfield Police Department into the future,” Chief Kalamaras said. “It is a task I do not take lightly, but it is one I know I can achieve by working hand-in-hand with the men and women of the department, with town leadership and with the members of the community.”
Chief Kalamaras was hired by the Fairfield Police Department in January 2000 as a patrolman where he served for 10 years. As a patrolman, he held positions in several specialty assignments including the Motorcycle Unit, Crash Investigation, Emergency Services Unit, Dive Team and Traffic Enforcement.
Chief Kalamaras was promoted to the rank of sergeant in April 2010 where he was assigned to the Patrol Division. In 2011, he was reassigned as the Special Services Division sergeant where he supervised several units within the division.
In January 2015, Chief Kalamaras was promoted to the rank of lieutenant where he served in the Patrol Division as the evening shift commander. He was reassigned as the commander of the Special Services Division in 2016. In this position, he supervised the Traffic Safety Unit, Crash Investigation Unit, Marine Division, Marina Guards, Vehicle Maintenance Unit and Motorcycle Unit. Additionally, he was the department’s public information officer and coordinated public programs such as neighborhood watch. He has also served for six years as the Emergency Services Unit commander.
Chief Kalamaras was promoted to captain in January 2019 where he served as the Special Services Bureau commander and later transferred to command the Field Services Bureau. Chief Kalamaras is a graduate of the 276th session of the FBI National Academy, which he attended in 2019 in Quantico, Virginia.
“Bob Kalamaras is the model of integrity and professionalism. It has been a pleasure working with him in the past as a State Representative and as First Selectwoman over the last year,” said Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick. “Bob always goes above and beyond to engage with and be responsive to our community. I was pleased to receive the recommendation from the Police Commission and was honored to swear him in today as Fairfield’s new Chief of Police. Our community is blessed to have someone so committed to Fairfield and I’m confident the men and women of the Fairfield Police Department will benefit greatly from his leadership and years of experience.”
In his new role, Chief Kalamaras will work to continue to strengthen the trust between the department and the residents it serves by building and maintaining accountability and transparency throughout the department and ensuring Fairfield’s officers are ambassadors for peace, justice and tolerance in the community.
“I pledge to do everything I can to make this department a model of openness, fairness and inclusivity that reflects the needs of all residents,” Chief Kalamaras said. “We know we cannot do this alone, and we will welcome discussions with our residents and community organizations so that we can all work together toward the common goal of making Fairfield a better, safer place to live and work.”
Chief Kalamaras also plans to strengthen recruitment efforts and explore the latest and most encompassing training opportunities to ensure officers have the tools and resources needed to embody the values and ideals of a 21st century police officer.
Chief Kalamaras holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in criminal justice from Sacred Heart University and is a veteran of the armed forces. He is currently the chair of the Safety Circuit Rider (SCR) Advisory Committee at the Connecticut Technology Transfer Center and has been a member since 2016.
Chief Kalamaras takes over his new role following the retirement of Chief Christopher Lyddy, who has officially retired today after a 38-year career in law enforcement.
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