Acting Hamden Police Chief Wydra Retiring From Department

HAMDEN, CT — Acting Hamden Police Chief Timothy F. Wydra is retiring after 30 years of service with the department, Mayor Lauren Garrett announced Monday.

Wydra has served as acting police chief for more than a year. He was appointed May 15, 2022, when former Police Chief John Sullivan retired. Wydra had been appointed to deputy chief on May 5, 2022, before Sullivan announced his retirement.

Wydra’s last day will be Oct. 15.

An announcement for the next chief will be made Tuesday, with an official start date of Oct. 16, according to the mayor’s office.

“The beginning of Acting Chief Wydra’s tenure leading the Hamden Police Department was intrinsically connected to a devastating loss for our community, the tragic murder of 15-year-old Elijah Gomez on May 9th, 2022,” a statement from the mayor’s office reads. “Acting Chief Wydra led with compassion, determination, and a sense of responsibility to protect our community, and within a month, an arrest was made.”

Read more from the mayor’s office below:

Acting Chief Wydra has been accessible and responsive to our community during his tenure as Acting Chief of Police. His focus on community policing has improved the way we approach law enforcement in Hamden. By nurturing meaningful connections, building relationships, and ensuring open lines of communication, Acting Chief Wydra has made Hamden safer and strengthened the bonds within our community.

Under Acting Chief Wydra’s leadership, the Hamden Police Department achieved significant milestones. Thirty-one officers were welcomed into our ranks and our police force now stands as the most representative of the community of any town in our region. This historic accomplishment would not have been possible without his leadership.

Acting Chief Wydra has worked collaboratively across departments and consistently championed responsible management of resources and inclusivity within our police force. His collaborative, team-oriented approach, coupled with his emphasis on evidence-based, data-driven policing strategies, aligns with our vision for a safer, more connected Hamden.

Mayor Garrett is deeply grateful for Acting Chief Wydra’s years of dedicated service. His legacy will be felt in the safer streets, stronger community ties, and more efficient, effective police force he leaves behind.