After 29 years on the Westport Police force — the last 9 as chief — Foti Koskinas has seen nearly everything.
He has freed a hostage, overseen Black Lives Matter demonstrations and the rescue of 28 rowers from frigid waters, upgraded school safety, helped arrest carjackers, and dealt with crises large and small, all in an active, demanding town filled with expensive homes, many stores and restaurants and offices, and including a sound, river, railroad, and two major highways.
On June 30, Koskinas will hand in his badge. He has chosen not to renew his contract.
But at an age when some law enforcement personnel retire, Koskinas will continue to pursue the work he loves. He will become chief of police in Easton, and also explore other opportunities both professionally and personally.
Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas
Koskinas may be Westport’s most infuential police chief ever. Like several other predecessors, he graduated from Staples High School.
Unlike them, however, he came to the US as an immigrant. His parents are Greek. Koskinas arrived at Long Lots Junior High School as a 7th grader. He did not know a word of English.
He learned quickly, and earned renown as a student and athlete. He planned on a career in law, but a college criminology course changed his career path.
His years on the Westport force included 9 as a patrolman, 3 as a sergeant, 3 as a captain, 4 as deputy chief, and — since 2014 — as chief.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas with Dylan Curran, at the 2023 Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Dan Woog)
His duties have included K-9 dog handler, SWAT team leader, dive operator, and member of both the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team and honor guard. Just about the only job he missed is detective — though he has supervised that department.
He also worked on assignments with the US Drug Enforcemetn Administration.
Along the way Koskinas earned a Connecticut Police Chief’s Association Medal of Valor, for his role rescuing a kidnapping victim from an armed murder suspect on I-95.
In 2019 he received the Distinguished Chiefs Award from the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut.
As chief he is particularly proud of the role his department played in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis officers.
“The entire country was in turmoil,” Koskinas recalls. “But a lot of what the public was demanding as police changes, we’d already implemented.”
Some of the most vivid images of those days are of Koskinas talking quietly with — and listening to — protesters of all ages and races on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge, at Jesup Green and outside the police station.
Chief Foti Koskinas with Black Lives Matter protesters, outside police headquarters. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
As he prepares to step down, Koskinas is filled with gratitude.
His first thanks are to his wife and daughters. “They’ve been through a lot,” he notes. “They endured stress, and I’ve missed a lot with them. But they’ve always been totally supportive.”
Without the men and women of the Westport Police Department, he adds, “nothing would have been possible. This has been a total team effort.”
The chief is grateful too for the support of the Westport community, “on all levels. They gave a first generation immigrant a lot of opportunities, and they have always been there for me.”
Police Chief Foti Koskinas (red shirt, above) has been involved in many aspects of Westport life. He is a frequent participant in the Police Department and Westport Youth Commission’s Dodge-a-Cop dodgeball tournament.
Despite his move to Easton, and living in Fairfield, Koskinas says Westport “will always be dear to me.” He looks forward to helping his successor — and the town — in any way he can.
After more than 40 years here, he has seen many changes — in the Police Department, and the town.
“There are challenges ahead,” he acknowledges. “Westport is growing quickly, with limited capacity” for some of that growth.
Polarization is an issue too. “National politics has reached here.”
But, he concludes, “I’ve had an incredible run. I’ve been very lucky. I always say, to get ahead you need hard work, good timing, and a little bit of luck. I’ve had all 3, and I am extremely grateful for all of it.”
A hands-on chief: Foti Koskinas helping clean garbage from the I-95 hill, in Saugatuck. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker says: “Since 1996, the town of Westport has been served and protected by a truly amazing human, Foti Koskinas.
“For the past 9 years as chief, Foti has stood at the forefront of a myriad of changes in law enforcement, community tragedies and issues, civil unrest and increased public engagement. He has met these challenges with true leadership, the highest integrity, and an insight into community policing that is unsurpassed.
“Foti’s approach has always been pragmatic, honest and prioritizes communication and collaboration. He is one of ‘Westport’s Finest’ in the truest sense of the phrase. I know Westport agrees with me.
“On behalf of the residents, business owners and visitors of Westport, his colleagues in Town Hall and his fellow PD and EMS first responders, I am so grateful for Foti’s leadership and genuine dedication to our community. I wish him only the best as he enters a new chapter. He will definitely be missed.
“Since he was promoted to chief, Foti has provided the critical leadership so that others may grow and achieve the highest standards we expect and receive from our first-class law enforcement team. I regularly say we have the best Police Department in the state, and I mean it.
“I am very confident that the command of the Westport Police Department will remain in very capable hands, as the next chief will be promoted from within the highly experienced ranks of our current PD.”
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