BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim announced on Thursday that certain city departments will be restructured as part of ongoing efforts to improve the operations of city government.
A release from Ganim’s office said that the changes include a long-term plan to expand and enhance the city’s 911 capabilities at the Emergency Operations Center, the filling of key positions within the police and fire departments and a shifting of roles and responsibilities between Civil Service and the Office of Labor Relations.
The release did not include a statement from Ganim but featured a detailed list of the new police and fire appointments.
John Cueto – Assistant Chief of Police
Cueto graduated from Sacred Heart University in 1987 with a B.S. degree in finance and earned the highest academic award among his peers in the Bridgeport Police Department’s training academy, according to the release.
He returned to Sacred Heart University to earn his master’s degree in criminal justice. He spent 27 years of his career working for the city of Bridgeport. During that time, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and has held posts such as Aide to the Chief of Police, Director of Fiscal Services and Commander of the department’s Emergency Services Unit.
Cueto also attended the FBI National Academy and Police Executive Research Forum and has participated in numerous professional police organizations, the release said.
In 2015, Cueto was chosen among 140 applicants to become the Chief of Police in Duck, N.C., where he led efforts to modernize the police department, implemented wearing body cameras, established a nationally recognized organizational structure and put in place policies to improve community relations and community policing.
When Cueto retired from the position in August 2020, he was recognized by FBI Director Christopher Wray with a written letter of achievement, according to the release. Since then, he has continued to attend national conferences to further his skills.
“Cueto has stayed current on issues affecting law enforcement and has been asked to speak on a number of panels regarding a variety of law enforcement issues,” the release said. “He has also been involved with the advancement of the National Public Safety Broadband Network FirstNet.”
Mark Cody – Deputy Fire Chief
Cody, a Bridgeport native, started with the city’s fire department 24 years ago, the release said. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2008 and was assigned to the city’s busiest engine company. During this time, he was also assigned to the Eastside Assistant Chief as the Chief’s Aide.
“There, he conducted the daily staffing, operational accountability and incident command duties,” the release said. “He later served in the same role for the Westside Assistant Chief.”
Cody was promoted to captain in 2020 and became the Captain of Administration, where he supervised payroll and managed the purchasing of equipment, vehicles and software. Cody has an A.S. in fire and occupational therapy and is working toward acquiring his B.S. in fire administration.
“During his time of service, he has also obtained the following certifications: Fire Instructor-1, Fire officer 1 & 2, Incident Safety Officer, Health and Safety Officer and Public Information Officer,” the release said.
Robert Marrero – Fire Marshal
Marrero is the acting Fire Marshal, according to the release, which said he began his career in Bridgeport in 1996 as a firefighter. He was promoted to pump engineer in 2005 before becoming a fire inspector in 2015. In this position, he was certified by the state to conduct inspections on different building types such as schools, hospitals and manufacturing plants.
“During his years in the Fire Marshal’s Office, he has conducted many fire safety presentations, investigated large scale incidents and has enforced the Connecticut State Fire Code with many businesses here in the city of Bridgeport,” the release said.
Marrero is also a certified master electrician in the states of Connecticut and Florida. He holds several other certifications, including Fire Instructor-1, Fire Officer-1, Advanced Fire Investigator, Public Life Safety Educator and Emergency Medical Technician.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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