West Hartford Police Welcome Four New Officers – We-Ha

The West Hartford Police Department welcomed four new officers during a swearing-in ceremony last month.

From left to right: City Manager Rick Ledwith, Assistant Chief Larry Terra, City Council Public Safety Committee Chair Carol Blanks, Ofc. Visoud Kong, Mayor Shari Cantor, Ofc. Rachael Farina, Ofc. Jakub Mierzejewski, Ofc. Marc Teixeira, and Chief Vernon Riddick. Photo courtesy of

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department has officially added four new officers to its ranks. They welcomed a Marine Corps veteran, a PhD candidate, an immigrant from Poland and a mechanic during a swearing-in ceremony in the city council chambers on June 17, 2024.

Naturally Fishoud Kong

Born in Southington, Connecticut, Kong graduated from Southington High School in 2014. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from 2014 to 2020, when he was discharged with the rank of corporal.

His roles included automatic rifleman and fire team leader, and he participated in training courses including the School of Infantry, the Non-Machine Gunnery Course, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2019 during Operation Sentinel Freedom, primarily in the role of a security detail for Marine advisors training the Afghan National Army, conducting reconnaissance in unfamiliar terrain, VIP protection in Afghanistan, and base defense. He has received numerous awards and decorations, including the National Defense Ribbon, Afghan Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

After his discharge, Kong earned an associate degree from Tunxis Community College and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Central Connecticut State University.

“Prior to joining the West Hartford Police Department, Visoud also worked as a health professional, coordinating wellness programs for the Bristol Board of Education as his way of giving back to the community,” and to achieve his lifelong goal, he combined his military experience, his passion for helping others through positive impact, and his background in health and wellness, Assistant Chief Larry Terra said when reading Kong’s biography.

Officially Rachael Farina

Farina grew up in Newington and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in human development and family science from the University of Connecticut. She went on to study at UConn and is currently a doctoral student working on her dissertation on the topic of “communication and attachment styles in police officers and their partners,” Terra said.

Prior to joining the West Hartford Police Department, Farina was a supervisor for the Connecticut State Mobile Response Team in Middletown, where she worked with local and state law enforcement to help people in the community who were dealing with mental health issues.

Previous experience includes serving as a licensed marriage and family therapist in Willimantic, treating individuals with post-incarceration mental health and substance abuse issues. Additionally, she served as an adjunct faculty member for Western New England University in Springfield, MA, and at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.

Office Jakub Mierzejewski

Mierzejewski was born in Lapy, a small town in Poland, emigrated to the United States with his parents in 2008. He first lived in New York and moved to Connecticut in 2010.

Mierzejewski graduated from Shelton High School and after graduating, he began studying law enforcement at Housatonic Community College. He then transferred to the University of New Haven, where he earned a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in criminal justice with a concentration in police science.

“While attending the University of New Haven, Jakub worked as an electrician, building electrical components for test vehicles on train tracks, and was a rock climbing instructor. … He would like to take this opportunity to thank his parents for all their love and support,” Terra said.

Official Marc Teixeira

Teixeira was born in New Haven and grew up in Ansonia, where he graduated from Ansonia High School. After graduation, he attended Gateway Community College.

Teixeira previously volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley (the Jowell E. Smilow Club House) and was hired as a camp counselor. He has also worked as a wastewater technician and for Southern CT Gas.

He applied to the West Hartford Police Department and was hired to fulfill what he called his calling and life purpose: to serve in law enforcement and to “make a positive contribution to the department and provide outstanding service to the West Hartford community,” Terra said.

Mayor Shari Cantor administered the oath of office to all four officers, who are now enrolled in the police academy. After graduation, they will participate in the West Hartford Police Department’s 12-week Field Training Officer program before taking their first assignments.

From left to right: New West Hartford Police Officers Visoud Kong, Rachael Farina, Jakub Mierzejewski and Marc Teixeira are sworn in by Mayor Shari Cantor. Photo courtesy of

Do you like this? Click here to subscribe to the We-Ha newsletter so you’re always up to date with what’s happening in West Hartford! CClick the blue button below to support We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.