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Lt. Paul Vance on new assignment: ‘I’m going to miss this job’

HARTFORD– State Police Lt. Paul Vance sat down with Fox CT Friday to talk about the announcement that he is leaving his post as department spokesman and media r...

HARTFORD– State Police Lt. Paul Vance sat down with Fox CT Friday to talk about the announcement that he is leaving his post as department spokesman and media relations commander, and being reassigned to the traffic division. It was reported Thursday that Lt. Vance was being transferred after holding the position since 1999.

In less than three weeks, Lt. Vance, 62, will supervise the 30 people in the traffic division. The transfer was not due to a disciplinary or performance issue and he says he was surprised by the change.

"I am prepared and ready and willing to move onto the assignment that has been given to me. I'm excited about it. There are some great people over there. And, I'm going to continue to serve the people of Connecticut," he said.

"We serve, members of the State Police Department at the pleasure of the Commissioner and the Colonel. When we're instructed to take on another command or another assignment, that's what we do," Vance said. Commissioner Dora Schriro ordered the move.

Vance spoke about the team effort he felt, working with police and the media during a crisis.

"I certainly hope, and anticipate that we'll continue to do that, even after my departure," he said.

Part of his next step will include commanding the team responsible for traffic enforcement, truck enforcement, and dignitary protection.

"I must admit I'm going to miss interacting with the folks that I've enjoyed speaking to and I'm going to miss the work that I did but, we're troopers and we do what we're told."

Lt. Vance has been with the Connecticut State Police since 1974. He was promoted to sergeant in 1998, master sergeant in July 2006 and lieutenant in October 2006.

In 2001, right after September 11th, the Anthrax scare hit Connecticut when a woman died after handling contaminated mail. Lt. Vance was front and center, handling international press who came to cover it.

In 2010, state police publicly mourned after one of their own was killed in the line of duty. Trooper Kenneth Hall was hit by a car on I-91. Lt. Vance navigated coverage of the tragedy and even ran Hall's funeral service.

But Vance's largest, most difficult, and most recent tragedy was the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. The tragedy shook Connecticut to it's core, and Lt. Vance delivered information on the horrific events of that day. Later, he would be commended for his leadership.

We've reached out to Commissioner Schriro's office, but have not heard back. The Governor's office is also not commenting.

No word yet on who will be the new voice–and face–for the Connecticut State Police following his transfer.

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