Trumbull Police Department Adds Another New Officer

TRUMBULL, CT — A Shelton resident is the latest police officer added to the Trumbull Police Department, officials announced.

Kelly Johnson, 24, was sworn in as a new recruit during a ceremony at the department on Tuesday. She joins the four new recruits hired in January, and once she becomes a full-time member, she will be the department's 11th female.

"Recruit Johnson will begin her training at the Milford Police Academy in Milford, CT on April 21st
where she will participate in classroom instruction, practical skills and physical fitness
conditioning," officials said in a statement. "After graduating from the Milford Police Academy in October, she will be required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of Field Training to complete her certifications and prepare her to serve and perform the many duties of a police officer in today’s community."

Johnson will ride with training officers during the Field Training phase, and they will instruct her
on department policies, rules and procedures, while exposing her to actual policing by
responding to service calls.

It takes more and 18 months for a recruit to start work on the road in Trumbull as an officer, after the lengthy testing process, the selection, background investigations, and training process.

Even with the additions of Johnson and the other four recruits, the Trumbull department
will have more than 70 members, but it still falls short of its authorized strength of 82 officers. That is due to the lengthy process involved with hiring new officers, and retirements of several officers.

All five recruits are expected to graduate from their respective academies later this year and will be replacing several officers who have announced their intentions to resign this year.

Additionally, the department is also offering a bonus of up to $20,000 for experienced officers to join the Trumbull Force.

The department continues to seek qualified applicants to fill the vacancies and bring the
staff to its maximum level.

The town is currently accepting applications for both entry-level and POST certified police officers. Further information is available on the town's website and at PoliceApp.com.