Complete Annual Report 2020 - English - Flipbook - Page 56
CAREER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Career Development Division
The goal of the Career Development Division is to recruit new police officers that reflect the demographics of the
community we serve, and address attrition and retention numbers within the Department. The Career Development Division strives to meet these goals by achieving recruitment benchmarks through programs such as the
Recruiting Unit, Cadet, Explorer, and PAL programs. Additionally, the Career Development Division works to
improve employee retention by providing support to current sworn personnel with career advancement opportunities and mentoring.
The Career Development Division helps to prepare potential candidates for entrance examinations to join the Police Department. They provide coaching sessions for the written examination process, mock oral panel events, and
physical agility test preparation. These initiatives are focused on contributing to the success of Hartford resident
applicants.
The Recruiting Unit leverages available social media platforms to reach candidates in new, creative ways. The
Recruiting team hosts bi-weekly live streaming on Instagram showcasing sworn personnel from patrol and specialized units who speak about themselves and their work at HPD. The Recruiting Unit also hosts recruitment
information sessions in community gathering spaces including churches, schools, local organizations, NRZ meetings, and community centers. During the COVID-19 pandemic many of these recruiting activities have shifted to
a virtual format. Additional recruiting activities include women-only information sessions and financial literacy
workshops in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Hartford. Consider following the Recruitment Division on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hartfordctpolice_recruitment/
PAL / Police Explorers / Police Cadets
The goal of the PAL program is to improve the lives
of Hartford youth through recreational activities
and educational programs that offer an alternative
to violence, gang membership, substance abuse,
truancy, and other criminal activities. Youth are
provided with programs that enhance and instill the
importance of integrity, respect, discipline, self-esteem, leadership, teamwork, and other valuable life
skills. Among the goals of the PAL program is to
increase positive interaction between young people
and police personnel.
Serving as an introduction to law enforcement, the Police Explorers program plays an important
role in youth/police engagement. Explorers learn about the duties, skills, and rank structure of the
Hartford Police Department. Through meetings, camps, and other activities, Police Explorers build
positive and lasting bonds with their peers as well as with HPD officers.
The Police Cadet program is designed to help recruit and
hire City residents that are pursuing a career in law enforcement, but who do not yet meet the qualifications to apply, including the minimum age. As a Cadet, City residents become
gainfully employed and have opportunities to learn and receive training to prepare for the application process and the
Academy. By design, the Cadet program serves as a direct
path for City residents to become Hartford Police officers.
The Career Development Division is currently staffed by one
lieutenant, two sergeants, two officers, and four cadets.
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