Retired Deputy Police Chief Reflects On 32-Year Career In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — After serving his country as a medic in the U.S. Army, Fred Hall planned to apply to a paramedic program in Hartford. Fate would intervene, however, as the 1980 Enfield High School graduate got an opportunity to join his hometown police department. He began training at the police academy and never looked back.

"I'm a lucky guy, I found the career of my dreams by accident," he said in an interview with Patch.

Thirty-two years and 25 days later, Hall ended his distinguished career in Enfield upon his June 30 retirement. He is one of only a handful of officers in town history to work their way up through the ranks, from patrolman to the penultimate position of deputy chief.

He served the department in numerous important capacities over a three-decade tenure. He was assigned to the detective bureau in 1993, becoming part of a statewide narcotics team two years later, then was promoted to sergeant in 1996. He became heavily involved in the community policing program over the next few years, plus served as a highly-respected instructor in women's self-defense, critical incident management and use of force. He also helped create the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT).

"In 32 years, I had a lot of opportunities to do a lot of things," he humbly said. "The people in the town of Enfield mean the world to me. I was lucky to work with them as long as I did."

In 2009, he was promoted to lieutenant, then made captain in 2011. He replaced retired deputy chief Gary Collins in 2019.

"As a chief, you rely heavily on your administration," retired chief Carl Sferrazza said. "Fred's integrity was beyond reproach. He always put other people before himself, including those he supervised. That is a leader, someone who leads by example. The town and police department were lucky to have him, and I wish him all the best of health and happiness."

Current chief Alaric Fox said, "Deputy Chief Hall served with pride, honor and distinction over the entirety of his EPD career, serving at every rank up to Deputy Chief. He was a tremendous asset to this department, and in a broader sense, to this town. I have deeply valued his input and insights in my time with this agency. He will be sorely missed."

"Professional, approachable, knowledgeable, respected, dedicated, a "cop's cop" are all what has defined Fred Hall during his long and successful career with the Enfield Police Department," former mayor Scott Kaupin said. "His contributions are many, but here are a few that help to define Fred from my perspective. First, Fred has the respect of his community and of his fellow officers, from the newest rookie and up through the ranks. Second, Fred has the knack to manage and explain complex issues so that the community he serves becomes a willing partner of our police department's efforts. Third, Fred has often been the "go-to guy" at the police department to offer training to both his fellow officers and the public at large. Deputy Chief Fred Hall has served our town with distinction and will be missed by all. As a personal friend, I look forward to seeing what comes next for Fred, his wife Carol and the entire Hall family."

Hall said he is uncertain about what the next step will be in his professional life.

"I'm on vacation with my family right now," he said, "and then we'll take it from there."

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