Chief Robert Gagne began his career with the Orange Police Department in 1978 as a part-time civilian dispatcher while still in high school.  He was sworn in as a Supernumerary Officer in 1980 and attended the Milford Police Academy in 1981, graduating first in his class.  He was sworn in as a full-time Officer in June 1981.  He rose through the ranks of the Department, being promoted to Sergeant in January 1987 and Lieutenant in November 1987.  He served as the shift commander for all three shifts in the Department prior to being assigned as the commander of the Investigative Services Unit in August 2000.  He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief of Police in July 2003 and Chief of Police in June 2006.

Chief Gagne has served as the commander of the Orange Police Honor Guard and Chairman of the Orange Police Awards Committee.  He has served as a police instructor and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician.  During his career Chief Gagne has been awarded the Department’s Lifesaving Medal, Exceptional Service Award, four Letters of Commendation and one Letter of Recognition.  He has also been awarded the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Samuel Luciano Award, the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut Distinguished Chiefs Award, and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award.

Chief Gagne is a graduate of the University of New Haven with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Administration.  He also holds a Master of Arts in Leadership (with Honors) from Albertus Magnus College, where he earned the Leadership Excellence Award.  He is an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice program at Albertus, and also serves on the Albertus Magnus College Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Chief Gagne is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, the New England Association of Chiefs of Police, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, and the South Central Chiefs of Police Association.  He has also served on the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Board of Directors, and as a past President and current Director-at-Large for the South Central Chiefs of Police Association.