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For 10 years, Glen Fergason had his hands full at the Bronx Zoo, training elephants and tigers and enjoying his career as a zoologist. He never thought about becoming a police officer until discussing the prospect with his wife, Amity, who serves on the force in Danbury.
"I wasn't one of those kids who wanted to be a cop for a long time," Fergason said. "It never really crossed my mind until a few years ago. ... It was a good time to make a change."
When he officially decided to pursue police work, Fergason knew he would have to be selective when applying. "I like the small-town feel, I like the community feel," he said. Easton seemed a natural fit for the 37-year-old New Milford native.
"My biggest interest in policing is the community part of it. Getting to know the community, getting to know the people," he said. "If I have to show up to a house, odds are I'm showing up on a bad day for them. I'd like them to know who I am before I show up, so maybe it can be a little comforting and not just, 'Oh, the police are here,' and it's scary."
Fergason was officially sworn in Monday but has been working full time for the Easton Police Department since finishing his academy training in September. "It's a great department, with a bunch of really great people who make it very easy to make you feel like you belong in town."
One of the challenges is dealing with something new every day, he said. "You have to be able to think on your feet. No situation is the same, no matter how basic it is, every situation is different."
Fergason lives in New Milford with his wife, their 6-month-old son Charlie, and their dogs.
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