New London Police Chief Brian Wright greets longtime friend Lt. Curtis Eller of the Stratford Police Department, following a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at City Pier. Wright has been with the department for 27 years. Eller, who showed up as a surprise, said the two friends went back "to before these uniforms, we met with football uniforms as kids," he said. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Police Chief Brian Wright gives a thumbs-up as he poses for a photo with family members after a swearing-in ceremony at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city's history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Police Chief Brian Wright is pinned by his daughter Brielle during a swearing in ceremony at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Chief Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city´s history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Members of the New London Police Department stand at attention during a swearing in ceremony for Chief Brian Wright at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Chief Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city's history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Police Chief Brian Wright greets his aunt Connie Mills of West Haven, and cousin Ruth Perrin of Bridgeport as they arrive at his swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at City Pier. Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city's history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Members of the crowd applaud during a swearing in ceremony for New London Police Chief Brian Wright at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Chief Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city´s history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London City Councilors, from left, Curtis Goodwin takes a selfie with Reona Dyess, Alma Nartatez, Efrain Dominguez and Chief Brian Wright before a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at City Pier. Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city's history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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From left, Jayden Alexis,11, his grandmother Dougenie Alexis and brother Jason, 10, look on during a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, July 14, 2021, for New London police Chief Brian Wright at City Pier. Dougenie said she and Wright, who has been with the department for 27 years, are longtime friends. "This is such a great moment to be here for," she said. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Family members react to New London police Chief Brian Wright's name being called during his swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at City Pier. Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city's history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Mayor Michael Passero and Police Chief Brian Wright speak before Wright´s swearing in ceremony at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Chief Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city´s history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Police Chief Brian Wright is pinned by his son Xavier during a swearing in ceremony at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Chief Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city´s history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Police Chief Brian Wright, from left, poses for a photo with New London Firefighter Al Mayo and State Representative Anthony Nolan following swearing in ceremony at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Chief Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the city´s history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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New London Police Chief Brian Wright shakes hands with City Clerk Jonathan Ayala after being sworn in during a ceremony at City Pier on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Chief Wright has been with the department for 27 years and is the first Black chief in the cityþÄôs history. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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