Community Policing is the means by which citizens can have greater influence over how their neighborhood is policed. This involves creating opportunities for officers to meet with the residents that they serve in order to learn what their concerns are, and then translating those concerns into activities that address them.

The Police Department currently has three Community Policing Offices that our officers work out of: one at 124 Gungywamp Road, one at 38 Central Avenue, and one on Water Street in Mystic. Officers meet with neighborhood associations, civic groups, or with individuals who stop in to discuss areas of concern.

What began as an answer to the problem of gang participation grew into a mentoring program in which our officers partner with youths in a variety of activities. With the assistance of the Town Parks and Recreation Department, we have been able to get involved in teaching them sculling, and sailing and plan to get them involved with golf and tennis. We have arranged a variety of activities and trips and have accompanied the youths on them. Working through a grant obtained through the Ledge Light Health District, we obtained boat kits and involved youths in boat building. We have held Friday night basketball games with kids from the Fort Hill Homes area and from Navy housing and hope to expand the program.

The Community Policing Officers are working with the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut and the Groton Social Services and the Groton Family Support Center to develop a program to prevent Domestic Violence, with some aspects already implemented.

Feedback on Community Policing from residents has been nothing but positive. We call it a success because the people who count, the citizens of the Town of Groton, have told us so, and we look to the future to continue to be responsive to the community.

Click here for information on the Citizens Police Academy.