Groton Police Chief

Town of Groton, Ct seeks Chief of Police/Public Safety

The Town of Groton is excited to present the opportunity to serve as its next Chief of Police/Public Safety. We are looking for an innovative, collaborative, and proactive individual to join our Leadership Team. You will have the responsibility to shape and drive the next chapter of our POSTC (State) and CALEA accredited Police Department, one of just a few in Connecticut to receive this international accreditation.

Groton, known as the “Submarine Capital of the World”, is located on the shoreline in southeastern Connecticut and is home to a diverse community that celebrates inclusivity. The Town is active in economic development and diversification that is conveniently located midway between New York and Boston. Groton boasts diverse educational options, historic sites, attractions, and outdoor spaces, for a balanced quality of life.

The Town is also home to a portion of Mystic, which was ranked as the fourth top tourist destination in the U.S. in 2023 and the only town in New England to make the list.

Groton operates under a Town Council – Town Manager – Representative Town Meeting (RTM) structure, with 267 fulltime team members. With a population of 38,000, a Town side budget of $47.5M, an AA+ rating, 16,000 households and land area of 31 square miles. The town offers robust opportunities in a variety of industries, including Electric Boat, Pfizer, and the Naval Submarine Base New London.

With an operating budget of $11.8M, the Police Department consists of 92 full time team members, of which 71 are sworn full-time Officers,13 Full-time Telecommunicators, Animal Control Officers, and civilian support staff. Full service municipal law enforcement agency with multiple patrol districts and specialized assignments. The Department is a leader in meeting public safety needs and emergency management responsibilities. It was the first agency, locally, to adopt body worn cameras and to establish Community Support Specialists to complement the department’s work.

Numerous divisions, including patrol, dispatch, and criminal investigations, contribute to successful service to the community. The Department also has community policing, K-9, Marine, Training, and Accreditation units. The Department partners with two political subdivisions and works with multiple special fire districts and ambulance services.

With a number of community outreach programs in place, the Department operates under these Core Values:
Integrity, Compassion, Loyalty, Trustworthiness, Honor, Community.

The Chief reports to the Town Manager as an essential member of the leadership team and provides engaged leadership and presence in navigating critical incidents and emergency management. The Chief is expected to have the capacity to flex from presenting to the Town Council, to partnering with the Board of Education on student safety, to working with community partners to navigate complex solutions, and serving as a collaborative member of the Town’s Leadership Team.

The Police Chief will lead by example, highlighting our core values, while balancing efficient and proactive operations, with a focus on the following key responsibilities:

Leading and developing the organization
Strengthen professional development, succession planning, accountability, and team member engagement.

Recruiting and retaining exceptional personnel
Develop innovative approaches to attracting and retaining qualified officers in a competitive labor market.

Strengthening community trust
Build meaningful relationships with residents, businesses, schools, elected officials, and community organizations.

Planning for the future
In partnership with appropriate Department Heads,…