New Haven Independent

Marcus, who gives her age as “between 35 and 64, depending on the day,” is the first woman to be elected president in PCAC’s almost 50-year history. She is the wife of Ed Marcus, former Democratic State Chairman and former Branford town counsel from late 2004 to 2007. They live in Stony Creek.

“It’s a group of wonderful men,” she says. “And, yes, most members are men.”

She hopes her appointment will encourage more women to join the 169-town organization. Already she’s received a couple of e-mails from women inquiring about PCAC. She is also buoyed by the newer, younger commissioners, who are interested in leadership.

Marcus’s goals reflect those of PCAC: To elevate the standing of local police departments through the exchange of ideas, information and experience, encourage networking among members, and support of legislation regarding safety and justice.

“I know the PCAC will benefit from her leadership and management skills,” said Branford Police Chief John DeCarlo in congratulating Marcus on her new position.

Each year PCAC honors local police department with meritorious service awards and gives out three Distinguished Police Chief Awards; other individuals such as well-known forensics scientist Dr. Henry Lee have been honored with special meritorious awards.

Prior to being elected president, Marcus was first vice president, which involved coordinating the monthly meetings. She turned a relatively mundane task into an adventure, recruiting issue-oriented speakers such as Dr. Lee and Art Meister, who headed up the FBI investigation of the Peter Reilly case 35 years ago. Reilly was wrongfully convicted of his mother’s murder in a case that brought shame to the state police and the state prosecutor’s office.

A member of both the Branford Police Commission and PCAC for six years, Marcus has served on the Traffic Committee and on the committee that re-established the department’s shooting range. She was appointed by former Republican First Selectman John Opie.

Marcus noted that police commissioners are civilians who have policy-making authority within their communities. PCAC was founded in 1962 as a community outreach organization of local police commissioners to share their common interests.Click here to view the PCAC’s Web site.

Marcus is a former vice president of Bank of Boston. She has also been active in many civic and community organizations, serving as director of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek and the Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury, president of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury, and as a member of the Branford Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking. A member of the board of directors for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Marcus will chair this year’s Shoreline Walk Like MADD in October.

Marcus will take over as president of PCAC on July 1.

“I hope the organization will take off now,” Marcus says. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

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