Fifty Hamden officials, residents, and community members gathered on Wednesday afternoon for the swearing-in ceremony of Police Chief John Sullivan and three new Hamden police officers.
Mayor Curt Balzano Leng (at left in above photo) started off the commemoration at the Hamden Memorial Town Hall by recognizing Sullivan’s achievements.
“This comes at a time when challenges that face all governments and all local police departments are very serious,” Leng said. “With these challenges and more, John Sullivan reported for duty with purpose and confidence. His and his team’s ability to deliver the great reforms and improvements that we need can make a real impact on public safety in our town.”
Sullivan, who grew up in Hamden, has been on the force for 25 years. Judge Lubbie Harper, Jr. swore in Sullivan while noting the higher purposes of his role
“Just to name a few, Sullivan portrays accountability and transparency,” said Harper. “I say to you, Chief, I know you will work tirelessly to provide public safety and to create an efficient and effective police environment. May you fulfill your responsibilities to the needs of the Hamden community.”
Sullivan told the crowd that his parents were not happy with his decision to become an officer back in 1995.
“After a long conversation, they realized that they weren’t going to change my mind. They said to me, ‘Don’t be a bad person. Don’t be a bad cop,’” Sullivan said. “I knew exactly what they meant when they said that. They were way ahead of everyone in police reform. Everyday when I put the uniform on, I think of that conversation.”
Sullivan vowed to promote more community-based initiatives. Strengthening Police Community Partnerships (SPCP), a project of the U.S. Department of Justice, has established a council in Hamden that will have its first meeting on Jan/ 16. The meeting will focus on concerns raised by residents about policing in Hamden.
“We will work together to find solutions to any of the problems that they come across,” Sullivan said. “It’s a diverse group of people that we pulled together to be on the council. We have business people, people with disabilities, law enforcements, government, and clergy. We tried to reach out to everyone in the community to be a part of this so that everyone’s voice can be heard.”
Officers Eduardo Diaz, Chris Kaplan, and Michael Vivenzio (pictured) were also sworn in.
Vivenzio, an officer for four years, and Kaplan, for five years, have transferred from the Bridgeport Police Department. Diaz had been an officer for 29 years for the New Haven and New Britain forces.
“I think for me, it’s getting to be engaged with the community,” Kaplan said. “Also, the most recent issues have been car thefts, so to be able to curb as much of that as possible.”
“We want to do our part and try to help out the best that we can to alleviate all of that,” Vivenzio, added.
“I think that it’s great they’re coming here with experience,” Sullivan said. “My whole career I’ve always felt that I can learn from the youngest officer here just as well they can learn from me. Law enforcement is an evolving profession, so things are changing. Laws are changing. Everyone brings something different to the table.”