NORTH HAVEN, CT –
In a moving ceremony on Monday, September 8, 2025, Andrew Stavrides was officially sworn in as Chief of the North Haven Police Department.
Rev. Fr. Peter Orfanakos, pastor of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church and chaplain of the Orange Police Department, was honored to attend the ceremony with Presbytera Vangie and members of Chief Stavrides’ family. Fr. Peter offered a prayer for the newly installed Chief, Deputy Chief Joe Woznyk, and all members of the North Haven Police Department, asking God to bless them with “strength, direction, guidance, prudence, wisdom, health, and peace”.
Chief Stavrides brings more than 20 years of distinguished law enforcement service to his new role. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Leadership and Decision-Making Program, he has held every rank within the North Haven Police Department.
Throughout his career, Chief Stavrides has led the Uniformed Services Division, Investigative Services Division, and Professional Standards and Accreditation Division. He was instrumental in achieving the department’s first national accreditation from CALEA, serving as accreditation manager.
A graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in Criminal Justice, Chief Stavrides also earned both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of New Haven, reflecting his deep commitment to leadership and public service.
Following his Oath of Office, Chief Stavrides delivered heartfelt remarks to those gathered. In one particularly moving moment, he addressed his brothers:
“People often say the phrase, ‘you can’t pick your family,’ usually after telling you about an argument or dispute that they have had. I feel blessed that if I had to pick my brothers, I can truly say, that it is you two, all the way.”
Click on the ia.ges below to watch video clips of Fr. Peter’s Invocation and Chief Stavrides’ remarks following his installation.
