Leng Names Police Chief, Deputy Chief In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — After serving as acting police chief for more than a year, John Cappiello is in line to take the position full-time and become the department’s new police chief, pending the approval of the Legislative Council, according to Mayor Curt Balzano Leng.

Leng announced on Thursday night his plan to implement a solidified leadership structure for the police department by naming Cappiello as police chief and Lt. John Sullivan as acting deputy police chief.

Cappiello has served as acting police chief since Oct. 1, 2018 and previously served as Hamden’s deputy police chief for 12 years. Cappiello has served with the Hamden Police Department for 35-plus years, starting his career in February 1984.

Leng’s appointment of Cappiello to the position of police chief, and his proposed employment agreement, require the approval of the Legislative Council. The agreement was recently finalized and will now go to the council for consideration in the coming weeks, according to Leng. The agreement dictates a six-month initial term, followed by the option of a six-month extension of duty.

Cappiello will continue to serve in his capacity as acting police chief until the Legislative Council calls a vote on his appointment and contract. If approved, his former position of deputy police chief becomes vacant, allowing Sullivan to be appointed (with council approval) and take on his new duties as deputy.

“Chief Cappiello has proven himself, through decades of service and a very intense year as Acting Chief, to be a leader with great integrity and incomparable work ethic,” Leng said in a written statement. “His professional experience, institutional knowledge and commitment to the safety of our community assures me that he is the right choice for this important time WHEN STABILITY IS ESSENTIAL. He will lead a Hamden Police Department focused on crime prevention, and will continue to increase the successful community-oriented policing direction Hamden has been building on.”

Sullivan has nearly 25 years of experience, having served in the Hamden Police Department since 1995. Sullivan has served in numerous capacities, as an officer, investigator, detective, sergeant and lieutenant. He has served as a member of the Hamden Special Response Team, FBI Task Force, State-Wide Narcotics Task Force and more.

Sullivan is highly decorated, receiving more than 40 citations and recommendations for honorable service, excellence in the line of duty during his career, according to Leng.

“I am very pleased to have the chance to put such a strong team together with Chief Cappiello and Deputy Chief Sullivan,” Leng said. “Lt. Sullivan has proven himself an outstanding member of the Hamden Police Department. He’s demonstrated exceptional skill working with residents and fellow officers alike in the wide variety of roles he’s been asked to serve, especially his efforts working with our residents in the Community Police Division. I find him to be a natural fit for this key position, a compassionate officer who knows how to get things done for the Department and the Town. I could not think of a better team to ensure the successful management and operation of our Hamden Police Department.”

The Hamden Police Chief Community Input & Transparency Committee, chaired by Pastor Keith King, has been working on gathering public input from the community, and from that input has developed a new job description for the position of police chief moving forward.

“The committee’s efforts have been outstanding and greatly appreciated,” officials wrote in a news release. “They will continue their efforts, including their key role in the selection process, at the appropriate time in 2020. Cappiello, if approved by the Council, will serve a minimum of six months, with an option to serve 12 full months. At the conclusion, the Committee will resume its tasks.”