Administrative Division

The Administrative Services Division is responsible for numerous units. A main component of this division is the Training Unit which coordinates both the recruitment of new officers and maintains and schedules training classes and records for existing officers. In addition, officers must undergo multiple training sessions each year to maintain their certification. This scheduling is also handled within the training unit.

The department armorer, who is responsible for all firearms and tactical trainings and qualifications falls under the Administrative Services Division. Special units, which include accreditation and internal affairs are also structured through this division.

The Captain for the Administrative Services Division is Captain Joseph Romano. 

Training Division

One may think that once a Police Officer graduates from the Police Academy, they are no longer required to go through any other training. In fact, an officer must successfully complete a number of classes to keep their certification valid (as determined by the Police Officers Standards and Training Council.)

The Training Division of the West Haven Police Department oversees this task by scheduling these classes for each officer. In addition, they monitor each officer’s certification, to make sure they receive the proper amount of training.

Classes that an officer may attend include: Advanced DUI Detection, Arrest and Control, Interview/Interrogation Techniques, Date Rape Investigations, and many more. In addition to these classes are yearly legal updates involving domestic violence and other changes of law, as well as various in-service training which typically involves firearms, baton, and arrest procedures.

The Training Division is also responsible for the recruitment of new officers and conducting their background investigations and employment process. Once an applicant is hired, the Training Division will monitor their success while at the police academy. Once the “recruit” completes the police academy, the Training Division will assign the recruit to a Field Training Officer (FTO) to complete the recruit’s training before the recruit is released to the Patrol Division.

The Sergeant of the Training Division is Sergeant Antoine Hayward.

Recruitment

The West Haven Police Department actively recruits new applicants to join our department. We are an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and actively seek minority applicants. Sign up for job alerts at Police App.com or at South Central Criminal Justice Administration (SCCJA)for more information on future applications and testing

Below are the Job Requirements as well as details of our Hiring Process. 

Frequently Asked Questions

    Job Requirements:

        • You must be a Citizen of the United States.
        • You must be 21 years of age by date of employment. You must have a High School diploma or equivalent.
        • You must have the ability to perform essential tasks required of a Police Officer. You must have a valid license is required at time of application. A valid Connecticut license is required at time of appointment.
        • You must be a non-user of tobacco products.
        • You must reside within 20 miles of West Haven by date of employment. Our Hiring Process:
        • In addition to the above job requirements, applicants must complete and successfully pass the following criteria.

    In addition to the above job requirements, applicants must complete and successfully pass the following criteria.

        • Written Examination
        • Personal Interview
        • Fingerprint Examination
        • Polygraph Examination
        • Thorough Background check including drug screening.
        • Physical Fitness Test
        • Psychological Examination

    An applicant selected for employment will be required to also complete the following:

        • Complete Police Academy Training (currently 22 weeks) at the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden, CT (unless otherwise stated)
        • Complete a mandatory minimum of 10 weeks observation/evaluation period with a Field Training Officer after academy graduation.
        • Complete a probationary “on duty” patrol assignment.

    Additional points are awarded to West Haven Police applicants who meet the following criteria:

        • Two (2) points will be awarded to residents of West Haven. Three (3) points will be awarded for honorable military service.
        • Three (3) points will be awarded to a certified regular Police Officer within two (2) years of the Officer’s prior certification. (The two year period must be within two (2) years of application deadline.)
        • Three (3) points will be awarded to a West Haven Public Service Officer after the completion of two (2) years of honorable service.
        • One (1) point will be awarded to persons having an Associates Degree, two (2) points will be awarded for a Bachelor’s Degree, and three (3) points will be awarded for a Master Degree and above. Degree’s must be from an accredited recognized institution.
        • All additional points will be added to an applicant’s final numerical score. Maximum amount of points to be awarded to any one applicant is (5) five.

Records Division

The Records Division of the West Haven Police Department is primarily responsible for the storing and maintenance of all police reports, arrest records, and the compilation of statistical data as reported to state and federal agencies.

The Records Division is also responsible for issuing initial permits, such as pistol, vendor, raffle, amusement, and bazaar permits.

The day to day operations are supervised by Sergeant Christopher Stratton.  The Records Division is currently staffed by six full-time civilian employees.

Requests for records and reports can be made in person during business hours: 

HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 8:00 am – 3:45 pm 
Wednesday – 12 pm – 3:45 pm

The Records Division is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

For a list of fees or to check the availability of a report, please call (203) 937-3920.

Crime Analysis Unit

The West Haven Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit is responsible for compiling and interpreting data regarding crime and reported incidents. The Crime Analysis Unit is supervised by Captain Joseph Romano and employs civilian crime analysts. Sergeant Christopher Stratton also assists with Crime Analysis. 

Crime Analysts:

Kerri Ruocco
Email: kruocco@whpd.com

Crime Analysis Office: (203) 937-3918

 

Professional Standards

“21st century policing requires enhanced administrative oversight. The Professional Standards Division ensures that the West Haven Department of Police Services is meeting its mission objectives and goals. The Division is responsible for keeping the agency’s policies and procedures up-to-date with State and National standards and evidence-based practices. The Professional Standards Division encompasses Internal Affairs, State and National Accreditation, police grant coordination, and is the point of contact for research and development within the department.”

Animal Control

The Animal Control unit of the West Haven Police Department is conveniently located at 7 Collis St. next door to the West Haven Public Works Garage.

Animal Control Officers are given the responsibility of enforcing all local and state laws pertaining to the welfare, control, and safe handling of animals. Through this responsibility the Animal Control Division investigates animal related complaints including nuisance calls, abandoned animals, sick or injured animals, and animals in unfavorable living conditions.

The Animal Control Division also cares for animals who are waiting to be adopted.

The Animal Control Division is supervised by Sgt. Mark Gado. This unit is also staffed by Animal Control Officer’s Nikki Stancarone, Lorna Hallett, Morgan Ruggiero, and Shannon Rose.

The West Haven Animal Shelter is always accepting food donations to help the animals. 

The West Haven Animal Shelter is open daily by appointment only

They can be reached by calling (203) 937- 3642. After-hour Animal calls should be directed to the West Haven Police routine calls number, (203) 937-3900.

Directions to the Animal Shelter: 

From I-95 North
Take exit 42 off of I-95 Turn RIGHT off of exit onto Sawmill Rd/Rt.162. Drive straight for .29 miles. Turn LEFT onto W. Clark St. **There is a small sign that says animal shelter.
At end of street, turn RIGHT onto Collis St. The shelter is on the left.

From I-95 South
Take exit 42 off of I-95
Turn RIGHT off of exit onto Sawmill Rd/Rt.162. Drive straight for .29 miles. Turn LEFT onto W. Clark St. **There is a small sign that says animal shelter.
At end of street, turn RIGHT onto Collis St. The shelter is on the left.
Animal Shelter Adoption Application

DOIT/Technology

The West Haven Police Department Division of Information Technology (DOIT) was created by Chief Kelly in May 1997 to address the increased technological needs of the department. Sergeant Craig Thompson and Officer Matthew Masek are assigned to this unit.

Besides maintaining all of the department’s computer systems, DOIT manages numerous servers which provide networked resources throughout the police department, in-car laptops (mobile data terminals) and satellite offices. In addition, DOIT oversees and maintains the radio communications systems, telephone systems, audio/video recording systems, and building security. The DOIT division is also responsible for the building and repairing of computers for the department.