Coronavirus Impacts Hamden Police Department's Daily Practices

HAMDEN, CT — Like other law enforcement agencies across Connecticut and the country, the Hamden Police Department has been forced to adjust to the way it conducts its business in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic. As Police Chief John Cappiello and his department continue to deal with what he characterizes as “unprecedented circumstances”, Cappiello said in a news release on Tuesday that his officers will continue to patrol neighborhoods while taking a proactive approach in addressing crime and other quality of life issues.

But as the department does so, Cappiello has indicated that local residents may see slight differences in how matters are handled and is requesting cooperation from the community. For example:

- Residents that contact the police department for non-emergencies may be asked by a central communication technician to answer questions relating to the coronavirus such as if the caller has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for the virus.

- When deemed appropriate, officers will take complaints and conduct investigations by telephone and/or email. Cappiello encourages residents to provide central communication technicians with a reliable contact number. The chief believes by doing so, social distancing directives will be able to be followed. If contact is needed, officers will respond to calls wearing personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks and eye protection.

- Officers will be patrolling neighborhoods, shopping centers, parks and trails in an attempt to ensure that our residents are complying with social distancing guidelines. Officers will be using bicycles, motorcycles, police cruisers and foot patrol in these instances, the chief indicated. Requests for records can be conducted online via the police department’s website.

“Please be reassured that our officers are continuing to keep our community safe and to meet our resident’s needs,” Cappiello wrote in the release. “We ask that you embrace the aforementioned changes, as we together work through these difficult times.”