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Building Trust Through Partnership

The Community Relations Division is committed to fostering strong, open communication with residents. Officers work closely with the public to address crime, social disorder, and quality-of-life concerns through proactive, community-based problem-solving.

In addition to traditional police work, Community Relations officers collaborate with city departments to resolve everyday issues like motor vehicle complaints, disorderly groups, and blight.

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Youth Engagement & Development Programs

Engaging Waterbury’s youth through educational and recreational programs helps build positive relationships with law enforcement and contributes to a safer, stronger community.

Learn More About Youth Programs
Two Waterbury police officers standing with two young boys in police and SWAT uniforms in a gymnasium

Community Partnerships & Public Safety Programs

The Waterbury Police Department builds strong relationships with residents, businesses, and organizations to enhance safety and foster a sense of community. Through public safety initiatives and collaborative programs, officers and citizens work together to prevent crime and promote engagement.

Citizens' Police Academy

This six-week program offers an inside look at police operations, including department tours, demonstrations, and a ride-along with an officer.

"Officer Friendly" Program

Officers visit public and private elementary schools to teach students about safety topics like bullying, drug awareness, internet safety, and more.

Child Safety Installations

Approximately 80% of car seats are used or installed incorrectly. In partnership with Safe Kids Greater Waterbury, the department hosts monthly Child Passenger Safety Inspection Stations to educate caregivers on proper installation and use.

Waterbury Crime Stoppers

Submit anonymous tips to help solve crimes—no names, no questions asked. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to arrests. Call (203) 755-1234 for more information.

Neighborhood Block Watch Program

Block Watch empowers residents to work together with officers to deter crime. Learn how to start a program in your neighborhood by contacting the division at (203) 574-6962.

Downtown Business Watch

This program connects Community Relations officers with local business owners to develop strategies for safer downtown commerce.

Special Olympics of Connecticut

The department proudly supports events like the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Dream Ride, and “Tip-A-Cop,” promoting inclusion and community service.

Specialized Units

Specialized units within the Community Relations Division provide targeted support across the city—from crowd engagement and traffic safety to ceremonial escorts. These units ensure a versatile, approachable presence while supporting public safety and departmental outreach efforts.

Three Waterbury police officers riding horses down a paved path in a park

Mounted Unit

Since 2017, the Mounted Unit has offered a visible and approachable police presence at schools, parks, and community events. Staffed by three officers and four trained geldings, the unit supports patrols and public outreach year-round, weather permitting.

Contact Mounted Unit

Lieutenant Jose Diaz – Mounted Unit Supervisor
Call: (203) 573-6346

Motorcycle Unit

The Motorcycle Unit provides escorts for funerals and parades, maintains the department’s motorcycle fleet, trains prospective motorcycle officers, and carries out additional duties as assigned by the Chief’s Office.

Citywide Initiatives

In partnership with other City of Waterbury departments, the Community Relations Division leads efforts that address persistent community concerns, such as property neglect and urban blight. These initiatives focus on improving quality of life through coordination, enforcement, and education.

Nuisance Enforcement Team

Formed in 2012, the Blight Task Force, now operating as the Nuisance Enforcement Team, addresses neighborhood deterioration through enforcement and collaboration. The team includes members from multiple city agencies and enforces a local ordinance that holds property owners accountable.

Report an Issue

Report Online
Call: 311 

Crash Reconstruction Team

The Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit within the Waterbury Police Department responsible for the investigation of all serious physical injury and fatal car crashes. The unit also assists with the investigation of industrial accidents that result in serious physical injury or death, as well as assisting with crime scene documentation and evidence collection.

Regardless of the time of day or the weather, the unit responds to scenes, working to determine the sequence of events in a situation, the underlying causes to ultimately prosecute those responsible in criminal court.

All the members of the CRU have attended 3 intensive courses offered by the University of North Florida (Institute of Police Technology and Management) and are trained in the use of the department’s advanced precision measuring equipment and corresponding diagramming software. Based on both the training and experience the officers have received over the years, many of the members are considered experts in the field of Traffic Crash Reconstruction.

Traffic Division

The Traffic Division is responsible for a variety of traffic-specific duties, including investigating serious injury and fatal collisions, DUI enforcement, and traffic complaints. The division is committed to raising awareness regarding traffic safety for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and providing enforcement as a deterrent to unsafe driving practices.

Each year traffic officers respond to preventable collisions caused by unsafe driving. These collisions can deeply impact those involved, their families, and loved ones as well as have a negative effect on the economy. The Traffic officers' number one priority is to reduce or eliminate the dangerous behaviors of all road users that might lead to a collision, including speed, impairment, distracted driving, and disobeying signals.
 

Contact Our Traffic Division

Sergeant Brian Grudzien – Traffic Division & Crash Reconstruction Supervisor
Call: (203) 346-3975 

Get In Touch

Contact the Waterbury Police Department with any inquiries, requests for service, information on a crime or to report suspicious activity.

Captain Stephen Alden 

Community Relations Commanding Officer

Call: (203) 574-6962 (Ext. 4228)

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Waterbury Police Captain receiving a commemorative plaque from a man in a business jacket at an indoor event