Youth Division
The Youth Division is comprised of four full-time Youth Officers who are commanded by the Training Sergeant. The Youth Division’s various responsibilities include; investigating crimes against children, developing and maintaining positive and productive relationships with the youth of Groton. The Youth Division enjoys a long lasting and special relationship with the Groton School System, to include Faculty, Parents and Students. The Youth Division also has close working relationships with other agencies, including the Department of Children and Families (D.C.F.) and other social service organizations.
Since 1988, administrators and D.A.R.E. officers from the Groton Town Police Department have been committed to educating, mentoring and facilitating D.A.R.E. to thousands of students in the Groton School System. A true community based program, D.A.R.E. succeeds because of the unique partnership that exists between our parents, teachers and police officers. Currently Youth Officers deliver the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) curriculum to 5th graders in the elementary schools and 7th graders in the middle schools. We encourage parents and children alike to visit DARE.COM to learn more about the program and how you can get involved.
Groton's strong relationship between it’s' schools and police has established the School Resource Officer Position. Beginning in 1992, Groton was one of the first communities in Connecticut to have a Police Officer available as an additional resource for students. “Resource Officers” have included Patrol Officers and Youth Officers. The current Chief of Police has served as a “Resource Officer”. The current “Resource Officer”, now known as the “School Resource Officer” or S.R.O., is a Patrol Officer on a 2 year assignment at Fitch High School. 
The department’s commitment to the youth in Groton is evident by the many and varied programs with which the Youth Division is involved. You will find Youth Officers at public events including parades, school fairs, special carnivals, and at other gatherings involving children. "Daren the Lion" and "PC" the car often accompany Youth Officers to help interact with children.
Youth Officers also serve on committees and boards such as the Youth Advisory Committee and Juvenile Review Board. Youth Officers also are involved with programs, such as “Yellow Dot” involving our Senior citizens in town.
Groton Maritime Academy
"Groton Maritime Academy
A Positive Youth Experience"
The Maritime Education Foundation Mission
The MARITIME EDUCATION FOUNDATION of CONNECTICUT, Inc. endeavors to foster an appreciation by youth of the recreational, educational, and occupational opportunities along with historical and environmental perspectives of our coastal region.
The Foundation supports and funds the Groton Maritime Academy, where youth become cadets and are introduced to the Academy through an intense three-week summer program that is filled with wide variety of maritime activities. Graduated cadets may then continue on with the Academy through other activities and receive advanced training in seamanship with leadership responsibilities. Because the Academy collaborates with area businesses and other community organizations involved in the maritime, graduated cadets are exposed to a wide variety of maritime occupation opportunities and may receive job placement assistance.
Currently Youth Officers Doug Hoffman and Rob Saunders are Co-Directors of this wonderful community partnership. Yearly, up to 30 students participate in the academy. Watch for Doug Hoffman and Rob Saunders in your schools as they will be offering informational sessions and distributing applications for the 2010 session. Also please visit groton-maritime-academy.smugmug.com for more information and photo journals from last year's class!
Internet/Computer Safety
Technology allows wealth of information to be brought directly to your computer. Unfortunately, this same technology has also made it possible for people to exploit and negatively influence children. The Youth Division is well aware of child exploitation and the use of technology to further these activities. Youth Officers have received specialized training in computer crimes against children and have successfully investigated such cases.
We realize that parents and caregivers may have many questions involving this subject with regards to their own children and situations. We welcome your calls and questions and will strive to answer or find the answers to those questions. What follows is a list of helpful resources that may answer questions you have regarding computer safety. These links provide a vast amount of information that will help you provide a safer "online" environment for your child.
School Crossing Guard Positions Available
Applications available at Groton Town Hall (45 Fort Hill Road)
Or Call Youth Officer Saunders
At 449-7182
Pay is $10.00/hour
