Hartford/New Haven PD Dept Q & A

[jrothen4]

I just have some questions and was hoping to get a little more info before sending my app in and flying all over the country. I am currently a certified Police Officer in VT, and have been working at my current department for 2 years. I’m also part time communications certified at my department. Have a pretty good reputation here (hard worker, high arrest, go getter, bitch a lot about the department and the politics) Little College, but 4 ½ year s in the Army. Only 24, so I have some time. I’m willing to do another academy, but lateral would be great. I’m up for whatever.

1. How is moral, leadership for the department?

2. How is the equipment? Cruisers, computers, weapons? How technological advanced are they?

3. How are the medical benefits & retirement (the website doesn’t really cover much of it)? Do you get medical after retirement? How’s the pay and pay scale? How long to top out?

4. How hard is it to advance and get onto specialized units (swat, K9, etc...)?

5. Is the salary enough to live comfortably in the city/surrounding areas, or do most officers need other jobs?

6. How is the overtime?

7.What are the shifts like, are they swing (hopefully 4/10’s like I work)? What are the hours?

8. What are the best/worst things about the department and city?

Sorry for the lengthy questions, but it’s hard to get straight answers from recruiters and cops you meet on the street. So of you may see this same post on other state boards, but I need to get out of VT and go a to larger PD with more opportunities and a lower cost of living. I’m open for many parts of the country and really I’m looking forward to finding the place where I will do my next 20 and out!

Thanks and stay safe.

[The E-Train]

This is what I know about Hartford/Hartford PD...

I left CT about 3 months ago for a job w/ a sheriffs office in FL. I used to work for one of the insurance companies in Hartford, and last I heard is that the city of Hartford was going to hell in a handbasket. The north end of Hartford is a war zone from what I remember...frequent shootings, etc. I know Hartford was hiring when I left CT, but I think they pay less than most of the surrounding towns.

Hope this helps,

E-Train

[ThikBluLine]

I can't answer directly for either of those PDs. i work outside of Htfd. Generally in Ct salaries are higher than New Hampshire. you might have to take a pay cut initially, but should catch up to what you make relatively quick. Most agencies in the htfd area have more OT and private road jobs than they know what to do with, so extra money shouldn't be a problem.

I will give unsolicited advice, if you want to move, stop your bitching about your PD. If you have a rep after only two years as a complainer, a lot of places won't want you.

[VAPD21]

Lower cost of living??? Then don't come to CT, our cost of living is through the roof. Most PDs start off paying decent, but Hartford and New Haven you have to been on a few years before you make any real money.

The housing here is pretty expensive if you don't want to live in a dive. But if you really want to work here, hartford is continually hiring. New Haven just hired a bunch, but rumor is that they will try to fill another class soon.

Can't really tell you anything specifically about the department though.