Investigative Services

Since 1970, the Community Relations Division, has a long legacy of service to the West Hartford community. The unit's officers are highly regarded for the important role they play in developing and teaching the personal safety curriculum in the public and private schools. A major goal of the program is to instill in children the knowledge that police officers are available to help and guide them, and that they are truly a friend to call upon in time of crisis, confusion or concern.

The West Hartford Police Department’s “Police / School Education Curriculum” has been developed over more than forty years by the officers assigned to the Department’s Community Relations Division.  During this time, the program has evolved through a cooperative effort between the police department and the West Hartford Public School System.  Without the input of concerned officers and the cooperation of the professional educators who allowed us into their classrooms - the program would not be as successful as it is.

This safety curriculum is offered to the Town’s twenty-five public and private elementary, middle and high schools.  Each presentation has been created to be age and grade appropriate.  Two presentations are available at each grade level from K-12.

This curriculum proves that successful law enforcement includes pro-active community education.  By providing an officer with the opportunity to share an “up-close and personal” experience with youth of all ages, positive relationships are fostered - for the officer, the teacher and the student.

Information included in each outline is comprehensive in substance and has been generated and documented in many other nationally established programs. Nearly each program level has a brochure of relevant information which is provided by the officer during their presentation. What we have tried to do is tailor it to the West Hartford community.  Connecticut state laws and local town ordinances are included in many of the lesson plans.

Community Relations officers are also active in the general community. Throughout the year, they make presentations to civic organizations and community groups on various laws or safety-related topics. Community Relations officers are certified as child safety seat inspectors. Please call 860-570-8820 to make an appointment to have your car seat inspected.

Detectives undergo extensive training in a number of advanced areas at both state and federal institutions. Courses include finger printing, interrogation techniques, crime scene analysis, and advanced classes in specialties such as crime scene photography and videography.

The Detective Division owns and operates its own crime scene van - a self contained unit equipped with the latest technologies for evidence collection and identification. This unit enables the department to handle its own crime scene processing.

Professional Standards investigates all internal affairs issues and conducts background investigations on new employees.

The Division is lead by Lieutenant Aaron Vafiades.

The Community Support Unit (CSU) is comprised of officers and detectives who specialize in quick responses to any matter in town that needs police attention.