Saint Mary’s Emergency Medicine Physician Sworn In by Naugatuck Police Department

Dr. Kakowski with his family after being appointed Tactical Police Physician for the Naugatuck Police Department.

Paramedic Chaim Gewirtzman, Deputy Chief of Hatzalah Ambulance, was sworn in as a Tactical Police Paramedic by Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess, III.

The appointments formalize the roles both have already been serving as tactical medics with the Waterbury Regional SWAT team, which supports law enforcement agencies in Waterbury, Naugatuck, Wolcott, Watertown and surrounding communities.

For the past year, Dr. Kakowski and Gewirtzman have volunteered alongside Wesley Kyle, MD, Emergency Medical Services Director at Saint Mary’s and Tactical Police Physician, providing medical support to SWAT operations and training activities. Their swearing-in follows the retirement of Scott Whyte, DO, Emergency Physician and Tactical Police Physician, and reflects the team’s growing need for medical expertise. Dr. Kyle and Dr. Whyte were the first physicians in Connecticut to be sworn in as Tactical Police Physicians in 2024. 

The Waterbury Regional SWAT team benefits from a strong tradition of tactical medicine leadership. Dr. Whyte helped establish East Coast Tactical Medicine in 2014 to provide lifesaving and tactical medical training to first responders, physicians, military personnel and law enforcement agencies. Dr. Kyle, who serves in the Connecticut Army National Guard and has deployed to Afghanistan, Somalia and Kenya, continues to train regularly with the team.

The appointment of Dr. Kakowski further strengthens the partnership between health care and public safety, helping ensure specialized medical support is available during high-risk operations throughout the greater Waterbury region.