The Professional Standards Bureau (“PSB”) is inclusive of the Training Division and Ethics and Integrity Unit. The Citizen’s Police Academy is administered by the PSB. Captain Ronald Smith serves as the bureau commander.
Training Division
The Training Division is charged with managing the professional development and education of all department employees. This division also acts as the department's quartermaster in the management and distribution of uniforms and equipment assigned to personnel. The Policy and procedures manual for the department is also drafted, organized and promulgated by the Training Division.
Sworn personnel are regularly trained in topic areas as mandated in the Police Officer Recertification Program established by the Police Officers Standards and Training Council (“POSTC”) and Connecticut General Statutes (“CGS”). These topics include legal update, firearms, gang-related violence, missing persons, eyewitness identification, managing the mentally ill, electronic defense weapons, allegations of police misconduct, crimes motivated by bigotry or bias, domestic violence, rape crisis, child abuse, suicide intervention and juvenile matters. Our training curriculum far exceeds the minimum training requirements of the recertification program on an annual basis than is required by POSTC and the CGS.
The department provides additional, specialized training to personnel in topics such as, but not limited to, electronic control weapons; trauma-informed sexual assault investigation; body-worn recording equipment; fair and impartial policing, defensive tactics, basic, intermediate and advanced crime scene processing; DUI; motor vehicle accident reconstruction; narcotics and vice investigations; emergency medical dispatch (EMD); de-escalation tactics; computer crimes; basic, intermediate and advanced interview and interrogation; and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).
Ethics and Integrity Unit
The primary function of the Ethics and Integrity Unit is to investigate complaints alleging abuse of authority, corruption, criminality, poor or slow service, or other misconduct or malfeasance on the part of law enforcement department personnel. The department responds to allegations of misconduct or malfeasance against its employees consistent with department policy and fairly and impartially investigates all complaints or allegations of such conduct to determine their validity. The Department imposes any disciplinary or non-disciplinary corrective actions that may be warranted in a timely manner.
The Department accepts and documents all complaints against any employee regardless of whether the filed complaint is in writing, verbal, in person, by mail, by telephone (or TDD), by facsimile, electronic, or anonymous.
The Ethics and Integrity Unit manages the recruitment process and conducts pre-employment background investigations for applicants to fill vacant department positions.
This unit also engages in a quality control function that includes the random selection of case incidents on a department-wide basis that involves, among other things, an arrest(s), the seizure of evidence or the use of force. These reviews include radio and telephone communications, written reports and statements, as well as evidence seized to ensure accuracy and compliance with department rules, regulations, and policies. These reviews focus on ensuring that personnel have complied with accepted law enforcement practices and constitutional provisions, specifically in the areas of search and seizure and use of force.
Citizen's Police Academy
Program Statement:
The Hamden Police Department is proud to announce the next session of our Citizens’ Police Academy for the Spring of 2025. The purpose is to provide local residents, college students, businesses and property owners as well as potential police officer recruits with information as it relates to the function and activities of the Hamden Police Department. It’s our hope that this program will increase police and public awareness and build community rapport through this educational endeavor. In return, the Hamden Police Department will surely benefit by increasing awareness regarding the concerns of the community through their interaction and input during this exciting and intense program.
Topics: The Hamden Citizens Police Academy may cover topics such as:
•General Introduction Computer/Internet Crimes
•Ethics and Integrity Police Technology
•Drug and Gang Investigations Community Policing / Block Watch
•Patrol Procedures / Motor vehicle stops Traffic and DUI Investigations
•Major Crimes Investigations Criminal Justice Procedures
•Crime Scene Investigations Use of Force
•K-9 Procedures Diversity in Policing
Requirements to Apply:
-Age: Must be 18 years of age or older
-Hamden residents, Hamden business owners, Hamden college students, etc. receive priority
-Applicants will not be considered if they have been convicted of a felony or a class A or class B misdemeanor. Background investigations will be conducted. Class is limited to 25 participants
When:
Classes will begin on January 22, 2025 and continue through April 23, 2025. All classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at the Hamden Police Department from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
Application Deadline:
All applications must be submitted to the Hamden Police Department no later than 4:00 pm on January 21, 2025. Applications can be mailed, faxed (203-230-4068), delivered to police headquarters, or emailed to rdaniello@hamdenpd.com (with an actual signature where applicable).