Three prominent Westport Police Department members have earned promotions.
Captain David Wolf will join Ryan Paulsson as deputy chief. Lieutenants Eric Woods and Jillian Cabana will rise to captain.
The changes are effective May 23 — the day that Deputy Chief Dave Farrell succeeds Police Chief Foti Koskinas.
Wolf joined the WPD in 2001. He was a DARE officer, field training officer, emergency medical technician and certified telecommunicator.
He was a law enforcement instructor, and one of the department’s first crisis intervention officers. In that position helped improve the police response to people struggling with mental health issues.
Deputy Chief David Wolf
Wolf was a crisis/hostage negotiator, and a team leader with the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team. He spent many years on the police union’s executive board, including vice president.
In 2014 Deputy Wolf was promoted sergeant. In 2017 he was named a lieutenant, and served as the WPD public information officer. He became a captain in 2022, overseeing the Professional Standards Division. He conducted internal affairs investigations, working closely with Westport’s Civilian Public Safety Departments Review Board.
Wolf has been awarded the Chief’s Commendation, and many unit citations.
He earned a BA from Franklin & Marshall College, and a juris doctor degree from the University of Connecticut Law School. He is married and has 5 children, and a 1-year-old granddaughter.
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Woods began his career with the Westport Police Department in 2001. He was promoted to sergeant in 2009. In that role he supervised patrol operations, and mentored younger officers. He was named lieutenant in 2013.
Captain Eric Woods
In 2017 Woods was assigned to the Detective Bureau. He oversaw complex investigations, working with state and federal partners.
In 2022 he assumed responsibility for internal operations of the department. He managed logistics, advanced the digital footprint of Westport Police Department records requests, and oversaw critical administrative functions.
Captain Woods earned a BS in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina. He lives in Milford with his wife Sarah and their 3 children.
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Cabana joined the WPD in 2006. She was promoted to detective in 2009, to sergeant in 2013, and lieutenant in 2014.
Captain Jillian Cabana
She has served in several key roles, including patrol shift commander and commander of the Detective Bureau. She also served as an executive board member of the Westport PBA and Westport Police Union.
Cabana’s honors include Meritorious Service Award, Honorable Police Service, Investigator’s Award, Community Service Award, and multiple unit citations.
She has also been recognized with awards from the Drug Enforcement Agency, US Attorney’s Office, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, where she served on the board of directors.
Cabana graduated from the University of New Haven with a BS in criminal justice. She holds a master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University in justice studies, and a graduate certificate in public administration. She lives in Trumbull, with her 2 children.
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First Selectwoman Jen Tooker says, “As with Chief Farrell, I am honored to make these appointments. Each of them has an excellent reputation in the community. They are dedicated and experienced law enforcement professionals who will work as a team to make the department, and most importantly, the residents and visitors of Westport their priority.”
