At age 42, Mike Paris is one of the youngest to be named chief of the Fairfield Police Department. Paris was appointed to the top job last week following a unanimous decision by the Fairfield Police Commission. The position seems like the natural next step for a person who’s spent more than half his life serving the town. But Paris initially had other career aspirations.

“Growing up, I went to Catholic schools, and I wanted to be a priest. You know, a life of service. And then in high school, I met my wife, and that plan went a little awry—but for the better,” Paris said smiling.

Paris explained he still wanted to help people and saw his dad doing that through law enforcement.

“I followed in the footsteps of my dad. He was a Bridgeport police officer. I remember him going to the police academy. I was a young kid, walking the streets with him, trying to get in shape with him for the physical agility,” Paris shared.

Though he grew up in Bridgeport, Paris went to school in Fairfield from nursery school through college and always considered the town home. At age 18, he went to work for Fairfield.

“I was hired to be a 911 telecommunicator for this town, working in this police department,” Paris told News 12.

It was a job that definitely came with some life lessons.

“Working holidays and weekends and hearing other people's problems and trying to resolve them—delivering a baby over the phone—was very eye-opening to an 18-year-old young man,” said Paris.

He spent five years as a dispatcher, then joined the Fairfield Police Department in 2006 after graduating from Sacred Heart University. Over the next 19 years, Paris worked his way up, often appearing on News 12 to discuss investigations, arrests and safety efforts.

Paris served on the Connecticut State Police Urban Violence Task Force and later the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. He also previously led the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team and Special Services Division, where he spearheaded initiatives focused on traffic safety and community engagement. Last year, Paris was promoted to captain and oversaw patrol operations.

“I learned so much as a young officer, which got me to this point today, and I didn't do it by myself. I did it with the help of senior officers and very experienced officers from Fairfield and from Bridgeport, from the state police and the surrounding agencies,” Paris explained.

He called the town a special place and said his goal is to be an approachable chief for both adults and kids.

“To be the chief of the Fairfield Police Department is something that means the world to me,” Paris told explained. “I want the community to know I'm here to listen to them.”

Paris was immediately sworn-in last Wednesday following his selection. There will be a formal, public swearing-in ceremony next month.