Deputy Chief Nadine Amatruda has made history in Waterbury as the first woman promoted to deputy chief in the Waterbury Police Department. Amatruda was officially sworn in during a ceremony at Waterbury City Hall.

A Milestone for the Department and the City

Amatruda has spent more than two decades with the Waterbury Police Department, beginning her career as a police officer. She has served in several leadership roles, including in the department’s Community Relations Division, and was selected to attend the FBI National Academy two years ago.

Amatruda called the promotion a dream come true. “I feel honored and privileged to have been selected for the hard work and dedication and time I have given to the city,” she said.

With the promotion, Amatruda joins a small group of women in Connecticut serving as police chiefs or deputy chiefs. According to the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, there are currently three female police chiefs in the state.

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said that, to his knowledge, Hartford, New Haven and Wolcott also have female deputy chiefs. Spagnolo said the promotion is an important moment for the department.

Amatruda said she hopes her promotion encourages young girls interested in a career in law enforcement. “Hard work and dedication pays off, and you can do anything you put your mind to,” she said.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.