CAREERS
ENTRY LEVEL
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Patrol
OFFICER
The Front Line of Service. The Heart of the Department.
As a Patrol Officer with the HPD, you’re more than just first on scene, you’re the face of the department, the protector of neighborhoods, and the first call when someone needs help. Patrol is where every HPD career begins, and where leadership, courage, and community connection are built every day.
Earn $88,780 to $93,218/BASE PAY
*OT NOT INCLUDED in calculations and will increase yearly earnings - pay shown reflects hourly educational incentive increase of up to 5% and top step achievement.
Academy / FTO / Probation Pay
$67,464 base salary
Recruits earn overtime during the academy, which runs 10-hour days. You’ll receive an additional 2 hours of overtime pay per day at time-and-a-half, increasing your overall compensation.
Step Pay Increases (Base Salary)
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Step 1: $76,607
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Step 2: $82,082
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Step 3: $85,879
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Step 4: $88,778
Note: Base salaries do not include overtime or education incentives. Officers with qualifying education may earn an additional 5% in pay.
What You’ll Do:
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Respond to emergency calls, crimes in progress, and quality-of-life issues
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Conduct traffic enforcement and proactive patrols in high-activity areas
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Engage with residents, businesses, and community groups to build trust
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Investigate crimes, make arrests, and write reports
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Work closely with specialized units, detectives, and city services
Why It Matters:
As a Patrol Officer, your decisions save lives, your presence deters crime, and your actions represent the core values of HPD, service, integrity, and respect.
Ideal For:
Problem-solvers, team players, and motivated individuals who are ready to lead from the front and make a real difference in Connecticut’s capital city.
Start your journey. Serve with pride.
Join HPD. Become the Future.
lateral
lateral
police OFFICER
Bring Your Experience. Find Your Opportunity.
Already a certified officer? Ready for more opportunity, more support, and a city that challenges your skillset? HPD is actively seeking lateral transfers to join one of the most diverse, dynamic, and progressive agencies in the region.
Earn $88,780 to $93,218/BASE PAY
*OT NOT INCLUDED in calculations and will increase yearly earnings - TOP pay reflects hourly educational incentive increase of up to 5%.
Why Choose HPD?
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Connecticut’s largest municipal police department
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Access to specialized units early in your career (ERT - SWAT, K-9, Marine, Dive, Street Crimes, Auto Theft, Narcotics, Major Crimes, and more)
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Competitive pay and benefits
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Modern equipment, real-time technology (C4), and strong experienced leadership
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True career mobility: from street patrol to command staff, the path is in your hands
What You’ll Bring:
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POST-C certification or equivalent
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Patrol and investigative experience
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Solid report writing, professionalism, and tactical knowledge
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A commitment to integrity, community service, and continuous growth
Why It Matters:
At HPD, lateral officers hit the ground running, your experience is valued, your voice is heard, and your future is unlimited. Whether you’re looking to specialize, promote, or simply grow, we offer the environment and resources to make it happen. Your badge has taken you this far, let Hartford take you further.
In-State Laterals can currently buy back up to 3 years of time when transferring to HPD. Out of State Laterals (Comparatives) will provide their training to POST-C and attend a shortened academy for the training they may lack.
Continue your journey. Serve with pride.
Join HPD. Become the Future.
investigators
detective
Dig Deeper. Go Further. Deliver Justice.
As a Detective with the HPD, you’re tasked with more than solving cases, you’re finding truth, giving victims a voice, and building investigations that hold up in court. Detectives at HPD work some of the state’s most serious and complex crimes, using sharp instincts, collaboration, and determination to bring resolution and accountability.
Earn $94,923 to $99,667/base pay
*OT NOT INCLUDED in calculations and will increase yearly earnings - TOP pay reflects hourly educational incentive increase of up to 5%.
Experience Required: 2 years of Patrol
What You’ll Do:
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Investigate crimes: homicides, robberies, sexual assaults, and shootings
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Interview witnesses, victims, and suspects to build airtight cases
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Collect, process, and analyze evidence utilizing state of the art technology
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Write affidavits, execute search and arrest warrants, and testify in court
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Work closely with State’s Attorneys, federal partners, and specialized units
Why It Matters:
Detectives don’t just respond, they follow the facts, uncover the truth, and fight for justice long after the scene has cleared. Your work will help bring closure to families and safety to communities.
Ideal For:
Experienced, motivated officers who excel at problem-solving, case-building and working complex investigations from start to finish.
Take your career to the next level. Make your impact last.
Join HPD. Become the Future.
supervisors
At HPD, leadership is earned through experience, performance, and integrity. Whether you’re leading a squad on the street or guiding the department’s long-term strategy, every step up in rank brings greater impact, responsibility, and opportunity to shape the future of law enforcement in Connecticut’s capital city. Lead with purpose. Rise Through the Ranks.
The First Line of Leadership
Sergeants are frontline supervisors responsible for leading patrol shifts, specialized units, or investigative teams. They provide direct mentorship, ensure policy compliance, and serve as a vital link between officers and upper command.
Earn $101,003 to $106,053/base pay
Sergeant
*OT NOT INCLUDED in calculations and will increase yearly earnings - TOP pay reflects hourly educational incentive increase of up to 5%.
Experience Required: 4 years of service, Written, Oral and Chief's Interview
What You’ll Do:
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Supervise and support patrol officers and detectives
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Oversee daily operations, calls for service, and incident reports
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Train and evaluate personnel performance
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Review casework, reports, and investigations for quality and integrity
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Maintain accountability and boost morale in the field
Why It Matters:
Sergeants set the tone for their team, leading by example, driving accountability, and shaping the department’s reputation one shift at a time.
Become a Leader.
Join HPD. Become the Future.
lieutenant
Operational Oversight & Strategic Execution
Lieutenants manage entire divisions, shifts, or special operations. They are responsible for coordinating resources, implementing department goals, and ensuring field decisions align with HPD’s mission and values.
Experience Required: 2 years as SGT, Written, Oral and Chief's Interview
Earn $114,770 to $120,508/BASE PAY
*OT NOT INCLUDED in calculations and will increase yearly earnings - TOP pay reflects hourly educational incentive increase of up to 5%.
What You’ll Do:
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Oversee unit staffing, scheduling, and critical incident response
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Serve as liaisons between command staff and front-line supervisors
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Command Units, Develop training plans, deployment strategies, and enforcement initiatives
Why It Matters:
Lieutenants ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly, while also driving efficiency, discipline, and progress across their units.
Command with Purpose.
Join HPD. Become the Future.
Captain
Commanding Divisions & Shaping Policy
Captains oversee entire bureaus, such as Patrol, Investigations, or Special Operations. They are responsible for division-wide performance, policy implementation, and long-range planning.
Earn $128,538 to $134,964/base pay
*OT NOT INCLUDED in calculations and will increase yearly earnings - TOP pay reflects hourly educational incentive increase of up to 5%.
Experience Required: 2 years as LT, Written, Oral and Chief's Interview
What You’ll Do:
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Command multi-unit sections or operational bureaus
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Guide mid-level supervisors and develop leadership talent
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Monitor division budgets, operations, and community outcomes
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Serve as department representatives in city meetings and partnerships
Why It Matters:
Captains translate departmental vision into tactical success, building bridges between the department, the community, and city leadership
Set the vision. Enact the Change.
Join HPD. Become the. Future.
Meet our Command Staff
James C. Rovella
Chief of Police
Kenny A. Howell
Assistant Chief
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Jason Lee
Deputy Chief
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Sonia Watson
Deputy Chief
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Ian Powell
Deputy Chief
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Gabriel Laureano
Deputy Chief
Meet our Command Staff
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Click a photo to learn more about each member of Command Staff.
