Message from the Chief

"First and foremost, West Hartford must be among the safest communities in the region." This is the published policy of the Town's government. It reflects the high expectations of our citizens, and has been the mission of the West Hartford Police Department since 1920.

West Hartford is a diverse community of 65,000 people, but many more are attracted by recreational and commercial areas, including the state's largest mall. Traffic on interstate and commuter routes draws thousands through town daily. The Town is a short drive from neighborhoods beset with poverty and violent crime, and its boundaries feature no barriers to traffic.

Yet consistently our crime rate per capita is lower than the statewide rate and our clearance rate is above the statewide average. West Hartford residents surveyed perceive West Hartford business districts and neighborhoods as safe and rate police services highly.*

This is no accident. Public safety is a public responsibility, and any community's safety is ultimately in the hands of its citizens. West Hartford's citizens are active participants in that duty-alert, well-informed, and supportive-- but they rely on their police to attend to that duty full-time.

We believe in "community policing", a strategy that calls for high police visibility in the community and open lines of communication between police and the people we serve. Our officers offer a wide array of programs to reduce and prevent crime. In return, we get terrific cooperation from residents and business people who report suspicious conduct and crime, form neighborhood watch groups, and check on each other's welfare.

Our department enjoys our community's trust, but we do not take it for granted. We recruit highly qualified candidates, train and re-train our officers to high standards of professional skill and ethical conduct, and insist that our officers maintain those standards, both on and off duty.

We want and get the best candidates because we offer exceptional opportunities. We provide specialty training, lateral and promotional assignments, and educational incentives. We maintain a progressive work environment that includes the latest in law enforcement equipment and methods.

The West Hartford Police Department is one of many Town agencies which strive to keep our community a strong, vital, desirable place to live and work. We appreciate your interest, and we remain at your service.

James J. Strillacci

860/523-2060 (Office)

*Measuring Our Performance: A Report to the Citizens of West Hartford (December, 2006)