Yale Police Department Names New Chief, Longtime NHPD Member, Acting YPD Chief, John Healy

NEW HAVEN, CT — As of Saturday, the Yale Police Department will have a new top cop.

The Yale Public Safety Department congratulated John Healy on his appointment as chief of the YPD. His appointment is effective Aug. 1.

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"After a comprehensive national search, Healy, currently acting chief, was selected to lead the department," Yale Public Safety posted to Facebook.

Healy brings "22 years of experience with both the Yale and New Haven police departments," officials said. "We look forward to his continued leadership and dedication to protecting and serving our campus community."

Accorindg to Yale, Healy is an "accomplished law enforcement leader known for a lead-from-the-front approach to crime reduction, community engagement, and increasing productivity of assigned units."

From Yale University:

Healy began his law enforcement career in 2004 with the NHPD, initially assigned to the Hill South Policing District. During his tenure, he served on the SWAT team, the Accident Reconstruction Team, and as a field training officer. In 2009, he was selected as a task force officer with the ATF and worked with the DEA on a year-long investigation.

Promoted to sergeant in 2013, Healy served as a first-line supervisor in the Patrol Division before transferring to the Investigative Services Division, where he supervised the Street Interdiction Unit and later the Shooting Task Force. In 2017, he was promoted to lieutenant, serving as district manager for District 4 (Dwight/Chapel/Kensington) and District 10 (Whalley/Edgewood/Beaver Hills).

In 2021, Healy was promoted to captain and appointed officer in charge of ISD, overseeing the Major Crimes Unit, the Bureau of Identification, the Special Victims Unit, School Resource Officers, the Police Athletic League, the Intelligence Unit, the Shooting Task Force, Federal Task Force Officers, and all investigative operations for the City of New Haven.

As captain, Healy led significant advancements in investigative technology and public safety infrastructure. Utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act and grant funding, he helped establish a real-time crime center, implemented FUSUS software, facilitated the acquisition of on-site NIBIN, Cellebrite, and rapid DNA systems, and oversaw the deployment of more than 500 cameras and license plate readers citywide, substantially increasing case solvability and operational efficiency.

Healy also served as deputy commander of the NHPD Emergency Services Unit, overseeing SWAT operations and the deployment of the Hostage Negotiations Team and Hazardous Devices Unit, bringing more than 13 years of SWAT/ESU leadership experience.

Throughout his career, Healy has received recognition from the U.S. Attorney's Office, ATF, DEA, and numerous community organizations. He was named NHPD Officer of the Year in 2020. Following his retirement from the NHPD, he joined the YPD in 2023 as captain of patrol operations, community engagement, and emergency services.

Healy holds a bachelor's degree in business and finance from Marist College and a master's degree in public administration from the University of New Haven. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 282nd Session, and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Policing, 78th Session.

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