ELLIOT B. SPECTOR, President, Treasurer and Instructor

Elliot B. Spector is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, University of Hartford and University of Connecticut School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1981. Mr. Spector was also a distinguished graduate of the US Air Force School of Military Science, and was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant. Mr. Spector has over thirty-five years of law enforcement experience as a police officer, police instructor and an attorney representing the law enforcement community. Mr. Spector is a professor at the University of Connecticut concentrating on Civil Rights and Criminal Justice Courses.  Mr. Spector specializes in Police Civil Liability and has presented the Civil Rights Update on behalf of the Legal Officers Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police to police and legal groups from across the country annually, since 1992. He is the past-Chair of the Legal Officers Section of the IACP and served on its Executive Board. He is a member of the CPCA, and serves on its Legislative, Accreditation and Private Security Committees. Mr. Spector has served on various additional committees, including the Handling of Juveniles Policy Committee.  He drafted the original state model policy on handling juveniles.  Mr. Spector has been updating the Connecticut Law Enforcement Officers Field Manual (“The Red Book”) since 1987, and has written numerous articles for national and state law enforcement magazines.

JOHN J. KELLY, Vice President and Instructor

John J. Kelly is a graduate of Providence College and the University of Connecticut School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1967. Mr. Kelly began his twenty-four year career as a Connecticut prosecutor in 1967 and thereafter, held the positions as Assistant Chief Prosecutor, Assistant State’s Attorney for New Haven County and State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford. He was appointed Chief State’s Attorney in 1985 and served in that position until he entered private practice in 1991. Mr. Kelly has been active in police training since 1972 and he has been a lecturer with the SCJTN since 1982 and was the corporate secretary from 1988 to 1999.  He is now its Vice President.  Mr. Kelly was the trial attorney and appellate attorney in State v. Smith, 73 Conn. App. 173 (2002), the first Connecticut appellate decision concerning Connecticut General Statute Sec. 53a-22 (police use of deadly force).  The Court also addressed the issues of the admissibility of expert witness testimony in support of police use of deadly force and a trial judge’s charge to the jury concerning police use of deadly force.

TAMMY LYNN LABONTE, Corporate Secretary and Administrator

Tammy Lynn LaBonte has been the Administrator of SCJTN for over twenty years. From 1994 to 1999 she acted as the Treasurer and is currently its Corporate Secretary. Ms. LaBonte acts in a concurrent role as a Paralegal for Atty. Spector & Atty. Arciero at the law offices of Noble, Spector & O'Connor. Ms. LaBonte graduated with honors from Manchester Community College, where she attended classes in the Legal Assistant Program and holds an A.S. degree.  Ms. LaBonte is a member of the Subcommittee on Police Training of the JJAC.





Other Instructors:


CHRISTOPHER G. ARCIERO, ESQ.

Christopher G. Arciero is a criminal justice graduate of Saint Anslem College, a graduate of Western New England College School of Law and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1991. He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. He has over 25 years in law enforcement. He has performed patrol duties, taught at the State Police Training Academy and conducted administrative hearings. Mr. Arciero’s law practice has been primarily concentrated on the defense of civil rights actions against municipal police officers. Mr. Arciero teaches our sexual violence, domestic violence, civil liability, legal update, suicide awareness and courtroom testimony classes.


CHRISTOPHER M. BARTOLOTTA

Mr. Bartolotta has been employed in the field of law enforcement since 1990.  During most of his police career, Mr. Bartolotta has been actively involved in the critical issue of Underage Drinking.  He has served on the Governor’s Task Force Against Drunk Driving; the Governor’s Task Force Against Underage Drinking; the Lt. Governor’s Task Force for Enforcing Drunk Driving; the presentation committee for the annual Drunk/Drugged Driving Conference (held in Newport, RI) and is presently a member of the Executive Committee of Connecticut Coalition Against Underage Drinking.  He currently lectures throughout the state on a variety of subject matter pertaining to Underage Drinking.

Mr. Bartolotta is a certified Law Enforcement Trainer on a wide variety of subjects to include police policy and procedure, enforcement techniques, patrol functions, drug-alcohol issues, fraudulent documents, criminal investigations and numerous other topics.  He was the first officer in the State of Connecticut to be certified as a Drug Recognition Expert and is currently in the process of obtaining his instructor status.  Several state courts have recognized Mr. Bartolotta as an expert in matters involving the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus.

Since 1995, Mr. Bartolotta has been a consultant for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.  He is a national instructor on underage drinking and has assisted in the publication of two manuals used for law enforcement training.  In addition, Mr. Bartolotta has lectured several times at the Institute’s National Leadership Conference.

In addition to his vast experience in the field of law enforcement and numerous civic contributions, Mr. Bartolotta has been recognized and has received numerous awards for his accomplishments, which includes a DARE Outstanding Student Leadership Award, several MADD high activity/appreciation/education awards, a Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission Appreciation award, a CSP Troop “L” High DWI activity award, two Commissioner Top 20 shooting awards, an Outstanding Leadership award for efforts regarding Underage Drinking and CSP Department awards for Bravery, Meritorious Service, Life Saving and a two Unit Citations.  He was recently recognized by the CT Exchange Club as its “Police Officer of the Year” recipient.  Lastly, he was a finalist for the MADD National President’s Award, the highest form of praise from this national organization.


DAVID E. BURS, Sgt. Ret. Stratford P.D.

Born in Beckley, West Virginia (1958) and a Connecticut resident since 1962, David is a product of the Stratford public school system lettering in three varsity sports (football, basketball, and baseball) as well as all league in football.  A May 2009 graduate of Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York with a Masters of Science degree in Health Science, he achieved high honors and a citation as top clinician.  Mr. Burs attended the University of Connecticut, Storrs playing division one football in 1976 and 1977 and graduated with a dual B.A. in Political Science and History with a minor in English composition (1980).  He has taught English literature and composition as a permanent substitute teacher splitting time between Stratford and Bunnell High Schools for six months commencing in August 1980 and coached football and girl’s basketball at Stratford High.

David began his law enforcement career in 1981 with the Stratford Police Department and became an academy certified police instructor in 1983  He is also FBI certified; SWAT qualified, and selected team leader and co-commander of the Stratford SWAT team as well as SWAT Training Coordinator for Fairfield County under the supervision of Ike Grey (FBI retired).  He became a State Police certified instructor in 1985.  Promoted to corporal in 1987 and sergeant in 1991, his duties have included recruiting, oral boards, internal and statewide training, and community business liaison.  He has conducted seminars in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, California, China, Kansas City (MO/Marines MAP) and Brazil (Local, State, Federal Police).
 
Since 1970, David has incorporated his love for sports and the martial arts into his police training.  He has competed, refereed, and coordinated in The North American Grappling Association from its infancy as well as Mass Destruction and Grappler’s Quest.  He has competed and medaled in The International Pan American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Games (Carlos Gracie Jr. 2003) in the black belt master’s division and is the Connecticut state chair (black belt) of the U.S Jujutsu Federation, a board member of the Minas Jiu Jitsu Federation (black belt), Minas Gerais, Brazil, professor of Jiu Jitsu in the World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Confederation, member and instructor (Sifu) in The Asian Martial Arts Association & Qi Gung Institute of Manhattan, NY (Dr. Richard M. Chin, Jow Gar).   

Retired now from the Stratford Police Department he is an independent contractor/instructor with The Spector Criminal Justice Training Network, Inc. and chief instructor of the Asian Arts Club, CT LLC.

His areas of expertise include:  Use of Force in the Defense of Self or Third person, Unknown Risk (High/Low) Motor Vehicle Stops, Arrest & Control, Police Restraints, Police Batons (Tonfa & Straight), and Field Training Programs (level one and supervisory).  David has testified in Connecticut Superior Court as an expert in martial combat.  He has designed, instituted, and lectured on school campus security operations plans and instructed officers, military, and citizens on personal protection, environmental security, and victim selection theories “Sheep, Wolves, and Shepherds.”  


FRANCIS CARINO, Esq.

Involved in the prosecution of juveniles in Connecticut for over thirty years, Fran Carino has been employed by the Division of Criminal Justice since 1996. He is currently working as a Supervisory Juvenile Prosecutor in the Chief State's Attorney's Office in Rocky Hill. He was the first full time juvenile prosecutor appointed in Connecticut and served as the State's Chief Juvenile Prosecutor from 1979 to 1996. Fran has developed numerous programs used for training thousands of state and municipal police officers and recruits as well as juvenile probation officers, detention workers and judges. He has spoken about the juvenile court process to school administrators, staff and students from elementary school level to law school. He has also made presentations about the Connecticut juvenile justice system at national conferences in Alabama, Maryland and Oklahoma.  Fran teaches an online class on the subject of Juvenile Justice Issues for Public Safety Officers at the University of Connecticut and has taught classes on various juvenile justice issues at Manchester Community College and Northwestern Community College.

He is responsible for authoring the Connecticut version of the "Play By The Rules" publication on the Connecticut legal system for middle school students.  He works with several police departments and youth service bureaus around the State to establish Juvenile Review Board diversion programs and has served on the Andover, Hebron and Marlborough Juvenile Review Board for over fifteen years.  He serves on several administrative and legislative boards and committees addressing juvenile justice issues.


EDWIN J. CIOLKOSZ, M.ED

Ed retired from the Manchester Police Department in 2001 after serving 31 years there on patrol. He developed an employee assistance peer program for department members to provide support for officers and their families. While serving on the Accident Reconstruction Team, he saw the need to train police officers to make compassionate and efficient death notifications. He researched and created an in depth course to train law enforcement officers in this function and has taught the course for several years throughout the state. He is a certified law enforcement instructor and has taught at Connecticut police academies and at recertification sessions throughout the state. He also teaches a course on police suicide awareness and is a charter member of the National Police Suicide Foundation. He has also taught classes for the Connecticut State Trooper Peer Support program (STOPS) and he is a consultant and instructor with the U.S. Customs Employee Assistance Program and did critical incident debriefings in New York City immediately after 9/11.

Ed is a certified grief group facilitator and has conducted professional development seminars for educators to help them understand the needs of grieving children. He facilitates grief support groups for young children and adolescents through The Cove Center for Grieving Children and Families. He has conducted workshops and training sessions for various groups on grief and bereavement issues in the community and around the state. He continues to have a passionate interest in educating people about issues concerning death and grief.

As a former professional and police department photographer, Ed has volunteered and taught the fine points of photography in classes for young children and teens.

Currently, Ed is a part time instructor at Capital Community College in the Criminal Justice program and is employed by the Department of Homeland Security at Bradley Airport. He is also a member of the FEMA Disaster Response Team.


ANTHONY DAVILA, Detective, Bridgeport Police Department

Anthony Davila is a graduate of the US Air Force Special Operations School’s Dynamics of International Terrorism and was honorably discharged from the US Navy as a Coxswain, Master at Arms 1st Class. He has been called to military duty for the following campaigns: Global War on Terrorism, Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and has honorably served with the Naval Coastal Warfare Group, IBU 28. Mr. Davila has over 15 years of law enforcement experience as a police officer, detective, police instructor and as Peace Officer with the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation. Mr. Davila is a POST Instructor and Navy Instructor (NEC 9202) and is a certified Terrorist Liaison Officer.

Mr. Davila specializes in Anti Terrorism Training and performed criminal investigation duties, taught at the State Police Training Academy and conducted several public seminars. Mr. Davila maintains a membership with the International Counter-Terrorism Officer Association, I.C.T.O.A.


ALARIC J. FOX, Esq.

Alaric J. Fox is a practicing attorney. He received a Juris Doctorate at Western New England School of Law, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement Administration) at the University of New Haven and is a graduate of the Connecticut State Police Training Academy, the FBI Academy, and the Connecticut Municipal Police Training Academy.  Mr. Fox was previously employed as a Willimantic Police Officer, and later, as a Special Agent of the FBI. He is a contributing author of the Connecticut Labor and Employment Law Deskbook, and has also served as an adjunct instructor in the Criminal Justice Department at the University of New Haven. Rick is a P.O.S.T. certified instructor, teaching primarily in the areas of Legal Update, Civil Liability, Labor Relations, Juvenile Law and Domestic and Sexual Violence.


CRAIG HUNTLEY, Lt., Suffield Police Department

Craig Huntley began his law enforcement career in 1986 with the United States Marine Corps and was sworn in as a certified Connecticut police officer in 1990. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant and is the Commander in charge of the patrol division and training division along with other special operations in Suffield. Throughout the State of Connecticut, he has instructed all ranks within the law enforcement profession, and for several years, he has taught a variety of disciplines within higher education.  Craig has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and has almost completed his MBA with a concentration in human resources.  Craig instructs Defensive Tactics, Law Enforcement & Citizens with Special Needs, Handcuffing, ASP Baton and is a senior instructor in the LOCK-UP police combat fighting system.  He is a past member of the NCMEST SWAT team, a Crisis Intervention Officer, an Associate Professor at UCONN teaching an online course on Contemporary Issues in Policing, and is the President and founder of Huntley Training and Consulting.   Craig created the first Suffield Police Youth Academy, which turned into its current explorer POST, coached girl’s junior high soccer program in the Stafford school system and has spoken at many functions to youth motivating them to their full potential.

JOHN C. JOHNSON, Detective Division Commander

John C. Johnson is a twenty-one year veteran law enforcement officer of the Newington Connecticut Police Department and holds the rank of Lieutenant. He is currently the Detective Division Commander and has previously served as Patrol Division Commander, Training Division Supervisor, Detective Sergeant, Narcotics Division Supervisor, Field Training Coordinator, Department Instructor, Field Training Officer and Patrol Officer.

In addition, Lt. Johnson has been a member of the Newington Police Emergency Response Team (SWAT) for seventeen years and served over ten years as the team leader. Lt. Johnson is the Senior Firearms Instructor for the Newington Police Department and serves as an Adjunct Instructor for the Connecticut Police Academy Firearms Instructor Certification Program and Department Armorer. He is a P.O.S.T. certified instructor, teaching in the areas of SWAT, Firearms, Building Searches, Patrol Procedures and other tactical training areas.


STAN KONESKY, JR., Lt. Ret. Branford P.D.

Stan Konesky Jr., is a training officer at the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) since 1999. He retired, after 29 years as a lieutenant, from the Branford Police Department, where he directed the Youth Division, Training Division, Crime Prevention Unit, Public Relations and the Special Response Team. He is a graduate from Southern Connecticut State University with a BS in Education and a Master’s in Psychological Counseling along with a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven.

Stan has extensively lectured on modern day Crime Risk Management, schools response to safety / security issues, juvenile law, conflict & suicide management, PPE and Basic Instructor Development with the Adult Learners. Stan is responsible for authoring the State of Connecticut Model Policy for Domestic Violence, Youth In Crisis as well as developing the curriculums for Suicide Management & Recognition, Weapons Of Mass Destruction Textbook, Handling Juveniles & The Law, Crisis Intervention for Law Enforcement Officers, Cultural Diversity & Hate Bias Sensitivity Training and Child Abuse Investigations.

He is the author of numerous publications and has written & directed training videos and CD productions. His copyrighted materials include: “360 Degrees Sphere”, " Arrive & Return Safety - Patrols Primary Rule",  “Say No Means Never Having To Say You’re Sorry”, which was the foundation for his U.S. Congressional recognized national exemplary curriculum program known as “Student Awareness”. This was the first full academic law enforcement/school program in Connecticut dealing with decision making, value clarification and self not peer pressure. It was a model for the DARE program.
Stan has coached all aspects of youth football, basketball and baseball. He is a State of Connecticut certified high school, American Legion and Babe Ruth baseball umpire. From 1999-2000 he was president of the nationally acclaimed Walter Camp Football Foundation, which honors the NCAA college football All- American players and was awarded the National Sport's Executive of the Year in 2000.


THOMAS S. MARINO, Lt., United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police

Lt. Marino is a twenty seven year veteran of Law Enforcement.  He retired from the New Britain Police Department after twenty six years and is currently employed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department in West Haven, Ct.   At the time of his retirement from New Britain, Lt. Marino was in charge of the Training Division and responsible for all training and re-certification of all officers.  He was also the Executive Officer of the department's Basic Police Academy responsible for the day to day operations of the satellite facility and training of new police recruits.  While with New Britain he organized the first full time Crime Prevention Unit focusing on educating residents and local business owners on crime prevention.  He also revamped and rejuvenated the department's Neighborhood Block Watch program.   For five years Lt Marino served as the Sergeant in charge of the Vice, Narcotics and Gang unit.  During this time he and his team participated in the largest street gang investigation in the State's history involving over 250 members of law enforcement (state and local) and resulting in 177 felony arrests and 22 risk search warrants.  He was a member of the SWAT Team and the Underwater Dive Rescue and Recovery team and served as a Firearms and PR-24 Baton Instructor.

Lt. Marino is a POST certified police instructor in the areas of Narcotic Investigation, Narcotic Identification and Field Testing, Gangs, Arson, Information and Intelligence and Crimes against Persons.  Lt. Marino has conducted training sessions for the New Britain Police Academy and Hartford Police Academy as well as in-service/recertification classes for departments throughout Connecticut.  Lt. Marino has also provided instruction to various civic groups, parent groups, parent teacher associations (PTA), teachers, High School and College students in the areas of narcotics and gangs.  Lt. Marino successfully completed specialized training at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland, the National Crime Prevention Institute in Louisville, Kentucky and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  During his career Lt. Marino has received 44 commendations from the New Britain Police Department as well as commendations from the Connecticut State Police and New York Police Department.   
Lt. Marino and his wife Barbara have been married 26 years and have four children.  Their oldest is working on her Masters Degree at Southern Connecticut State University.  Last year their oldest son graduated college with a degree in Criminal Justice while simultaneously attending the New Britain Police Academy and is currently patrolling the streets of New Britain.  Early years of coaching Little League and volunteering for the Police Athletic League football program have transitioned into watching their youngest son play college football as a starting linebacker for Central Connecticut State University where he's pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.  Their youngest is a sophomore in high school where she's on the Honor Roll.


ERNO NANDORI, Detective, Bridgeport P.D.

Erno Nandori attended Norwalk Community College and majored in Criminal Justice with a second major in Business Administration. He is a 16 year veteran of the Bridgeport Police Department, and is serving his 12th year in Detective Bureau Criminal Investigation Division.  He was a member of the Connecticut State Police / Regional Auto Theft Task Force “Troop G“ Southeast Region from 1999-2001 and a previous member of Connecticut Chapter of The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. (C.I.A.T.T.I.)

Erno is a P.O.S.T. / F.B.I. Certified instructor, teaching primarily in the areas of Fraud Investigations / Organized Crime, Counterfeiting, Music Media & Counterfeit Video MPAA / RIAA, Auto Theft Investigations and is a Basic Police/ Public Safety / Fire & EMS Bicycle Instructor for I.P.M.B.A. (International Police Mountain Bike Association).   He was one of the first Police Mountain Bicycle Instructors (# 181) in the State of Connecticut teaching over 700 police officers and supervisors in this field.  He started as a Community Police Officer assigned to the Bike Unit and achieved his instructorship in 1995.  He has also taught internationally in Italy and Sicily at the United States Naval Base Security / Police Forces and provided instruction to numerous New England & Southern States. He also assisted in Course Development of the EMS Cyclist Course with I.P.M.B.A.

He is one of the first instructors to develop a P.O.S.T.C. approved course curriculum to provide instruction in Counterfeit Music and Visual Media (Bootleg CDs & DVD’s).  He is certified by The Recording Industry Associates of America and was a “Gold Record Award” recipient for Excellence in The Field of Recognition and Recovery of over 10,000 Counterfeit Pieces of Media.  He has also been recognized by numerous name brand manufacturers for counterfeit apparel seizures and arrests. (Nike, Coach, Reebok, Gucci, & Starter brands).

Erno is a certified “Stuart Parks“ Police/Law Enforcement Composite Artist approved for Level I Certification: International Association for Identification and a Custom Graphic Artist.  He provides suspect facial sketching and Wanted poster sketches to area departments.  He was previously published and recognized by The Norwalk Hour and received Kathleen Flynn Artist Scholarship Awards in 1987/1988.

Erno coaches Youth Co-Ed Soccer U-10 and is an Assistant Coach for the Over 12 Co-Ed Soccer League. He also provides Career Day Block Seminars for The Canton School System ever year and is an active member of the Canton Community.

Erno is an active member of The Salvation Army Bridgeport / North East Chapter and provides Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Informational Seminars aiding members of society regain confidence in re-entering the community.

Detective Nandori also assists with “Angel Tree / Salvation Army“ toy collection and distribution every Christmas Season and donates toys with his family to “Norwalk, Bridgeport and Hartford Children’s Hospitals” and helps distribute necessities to Homeless Shelters in the Fairfield & Litchfield County Areas.


LOUISE C. PYERS, M.S., B.C.E.T.S

Louise Pyers is founder, Statewide CIT Program Coordinator and Executive Director of the CT Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE), Inc.   She holds a Master of Science Degree in Community Psychology and Counseling and is Board Certified by The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She is a Connecticut P.O.S.T. Certified Police Instructor in the areas of Stress Management, Suicide Intervention and Assessment and Citizens With Special Needs.

As a professional counselor and coach, Ms. Pyers specializes in working with police, fire, EMS workers and their families. She is also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and serves on a local CISM team specializing in services to public safety personnel. She has provided expert guidance and psychological autopsies related to incidents of “suicide by cop” and has also published articles related to police encounters with the mentally ill in the FBI National Academy Magazine and Law and Order Magazine.