Hamden Police Chief Meets with Human Rights and Relations Committee

From the Hamden Human Rights and Relations Committee

On Thursday, Jan. 12, Hamden's Chief of Police Thomas Wydra took some time out of his busy schedule to meet with Hamden’s Human Rights and Relations Committee. (HRRC) The chief focused on the following topics.

1. What are police concerns and hopes regarding police-community relations in Hamden?
2. What are the current policies and practices regarding diversity and bias, including what training people receive?
3. What is the current response of the Police Department to hate crimes, and are they interested in further training & resources in this area?
4. What is the Hamden police doing for the kids in Hamden? We heard (from two of your officers) about community activities that the Hamden PD is involved in. How can we work together to get the word out? Are these community activities on a website?
5. Would they be open to holding a community-building event that brings police and community members together to create stronger relationships and/or to share ideas & concerns (there are a number of different models for these kinds of events across the country)?
6. How can I get acquainted with the officers who patrol my neighborhood?"
7. Could you describe the application process for potential police officers?

President of the HRRC, Dr. David Asbery would like to sincerely thank Chief Wydra for meeting with the committee and look forward to building an alliance and working with the chief in the future.

Contributed photo of Chief Wydra and the commissioners.