TROY -- It was a moment of family pride and tradition as badges were passed from father to son and father to daughter.
Capt. Robert Cipperly pinned his old badge on the chest of his son Brandon C. Cipperly, while retired officer Russell Coonradt placed his badge on daughter Danielle K. Coonradt.
The Troy Police Department swore in five new officers Tuesday morning in a ceremony attended by about 100 people in the City Council chamber at City Hall.
Three of the five rookies have family ties to the department.
"Nothing is more important on the job than personal integrity. We're entrusting you with a badge previously worn by another officer," Assistant Chief Richard McAvoy advised the new officers.
Mayor Harry Tutunjian added, "Being a police officer is something that involves the entire family. The Troy Police Department is rich in tradition."
Those family ties and police tradition grew stronger Tuesday.
"This was a decision he made on his own. I'm glad he did," Cipperly, who commands the detective unit, said of his son.
"It's always been a dream of mine to one day be a Troy police officer and work alongside my father," said the younger Cipperly, who is leaving his job as a Nassau village police officer.
Brandon C. Cipperly said he has to get used to calling his father "captain" or "sir," not "dad" when they're on the job.
Russell Coonradt retired 16 months ago. Tuesday was special, he said.
"Actually, Danielle wanted to be a police officer in Troy as long as I could remember. She is," the proud father said.
Danielle Coonradt had two reasons for following her father onto the force in the Collar City.
"I always wanted to do something where I helped people," she said. "I always looked up to my dad."
Dominick J. Comitale received the badge of his uncle, Officer John Comitale Jr., who now wears the badge of his father, retired Detective Sergeant John Comitale. Dominick J. Comitale's father, Dominick, is retired from the North Greenbush Police Department.
The other new officers are Matthew D. Beaudoin and Charles D. Castle III.
"I'm proud of their decisions to become a Troy police officer. I'm excited for them on joining a department with strong traditions," said Officer Robert Fitzgerald, president of the Troy Police Benevolent Association.
City officials said they expect to see about 10 more openings for new officers by the end of the year due to retirements from the department.
Kenneth C. Crowe II can be reached at 454-5084 or by e-mail at kcrowe@timesunion.com. | 
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