Police Officer

newhavenct.gov; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 77,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage for officer and famil

25-year retirement plan

Life insurance

12 holidays

Paid vacation

Uniforms and equipment provided

Tuition reduction and scholarships

Promotion after 3 years

Job summary

New Haven Police Department is seeking entry-level police officers to protect life and property, prevent crime, and serve the community. The position requires graduation from high school or GED, with duties including patrols, emergency response, and investigations.

The department emphasizes community relations and adherence to laws and regulations. Starting salaries are $77,175 with progression to $94,927 over two years, plus comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED.
• Ability to solve problems and communicate clearly.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and endure varied conditions.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned beat by vehicle or on foot.
• Enforce traffic laws and maintain traffic flow.
• Respond to emergencies and service calls.
• Investigate incidents and conduct follow-up investigations.
• Testify in court or other proceedings as required.
• Establish and maintain positive community relations.

Skills

Problem solving

Instruction ability

Reading and writing clearly

Physical stamina

Outdoor endurance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Introduction

Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to start your career in Law Enforcement by joining the New Haven Police Department.

The current exam cycle will take place tentatively in December 2026, but to participate, you must.

Excellent Starting Salary & Benefits

• First year salary: $77,175
• After one year of service: $85,995
• After two years of service: $94,927

see Salary below for more info

Compensation And Benefits Include

• Comprehensive medical coverage for each officer and their family.
• Generous twenty-five (25) year retirement plan.
• Paid life insurance policy.
• Twelve paid holidays.
• Paid vacation.
• Uniforms and equipment provided.
• University tuition reduction and competitive scholarships available.
• Upon completion of probationary period, officers work a 5-2, 5-3 work schedule
• Numerous specialized units including K-9, Hostage Negotiation, SWAT, Hazardous Devices Unit, and Underwater Search and Recovery Team
• Eligibility for promotion after 3 years of service

30x30 Initiative

New Haven is a proud participant in the national initiative – 30x30 – to advance women in policing and law enforcement.

The 30x30 initiative is based on the importance of achieving at least 30% representation of women by 2030 to empower a group to influence change to an organization’s culture. 30x30 doesn’t stop there. We are working to improve recruiting practices and establish community partnerships so our police force is more aligned with the population of the City. While 30x30 is focusing on women and policing, these principles apply to all demographic diversity and not just gender. Complete your application and come work with us!

Primary Functions

This is general duty police work. Work involves responsibility for the protection of life and property, prevention of crime, general enforcement of laws and ordinances as well as providing traditional and non-traditional service to the community.

Work involves an element of danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise independent discretion.

Work is performed in accordance with Department rules and regulations, the constitution of the United States of America and the State of Connecticut.

Typical Duties And Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned beat via radio equipped patrol vehicle or on foot.
• Observes and handles physical hazards taking appropriate action.
• Uses communications equipment to include two-way radio and telephone.
• Makes written and/or verbal reports in accordance with department directives and law on forms provided for such purpose.
• Enforces traffic laws and maintains traffic flow.
• Handles calls for emergency service.
• Handles calls for service criminal or non-criminal in nature.
• Observes and handles as required problems of an emergency, criminal or non-criminal nature coming to his/her attention.
• Investigates traffic accidents.
• Makes arrests in accordance with law and department procedure.
• Collects evidence, makes service in criminal and civil proceedings, testifies as a witness in court or other official proceedings.
• Conducts follow-up investigations using support services as required.
• Handles problems concerning juveniles.
• Identifies and solves community problems. Officer must be able to gain a thorough knowledge of the community he/she serves and be able to effectively deal with that community at large.
• Performs related work as required.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

• Graduation from high school or possess a GED; and possess the following abilities and skills:

Knowledge, Experience, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to solve problems.
• Ability to instruct others, to help others learn how to do or understand something.
• Ability to use dangerous equipment or material or work in dangerous surroundings.
• Ability to spend a major portion of time out of doors without regard to weather conditions, possess physical stamina, be able to lift, walk long distances, and stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to work with detail using technical terms.
• Ability to read and understand written material.
• Ability to write clearly, in detail, using technical terms.
• Ability to respect the rights of others and to cope with situations firmly, courteously and tactfully.
• Ability to carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and the general public.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Minimum age requirement is 21 years of age at time of application.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Connecticut driver’s license.
• Candidate must not have been convicted under federal or state law for any felony, or Class A or Class B misdemeanor, or domestic violence, or have committed an act which would constitute perjury or false statement.
• Satisfactory completion of the Basic Police Officer’s Training program as established by the Police Officer Standards & Training Council and maintain certification during course of employment.
• Graduation for this classification must be able to meet and maintain throughout the course of employment established physical, medical and psychological requirements.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

CHIP Test (aka Physical Ability Test)

Individuals who apply for the position of entry-level police officer for the New Haven Department of Police Service, must either:

• Have already taken a Complete Health & Injury Prevention (CHIP) Test and have obtained at least a minimum passing score of 35%,

For those who have already been CHIP-tested, we will accept passing CHIP Test results from applicants who achieved New Haven’s minimum passing score of 35% no more than 6 months before submitting their application for New Haven entry-level police officer. CHIP Test results achieved earlier than 6 months ago will not be accepted. When you submit your application for employment for the New Haven Department of Police Service through the PoliceApp portal, your application should automatically pull your CHIP Test results. No uploading of any of your CHIP Test result is necessary.

For those needing to take the CHIP Test, the exam fee for the CHIP Test is currently $115. However, The City of New Haven is subsidizing the CHIP Test fee for New Haven residents once per year. The CHIP Test fee for New Haven residents is $40 once per year.

For those experiencing financial hardship making it difficult to pay the CHIP Test fee, the City of New Haven is offering a CHIP Test Fee Waiver Voucher to cover the exam expense for any income eligible applicant. See the information in the Applicant Handbook on how to obtain a CHIP Test Fee Waiver Voucher.

Be advised that in all cases you need to continue to improve your physical fitness so that if you receive a conditional offer of employment as an NHPD entry-level police officer, you will be able to achieve the pre-Academy pass score of 40%. This is the final physical ability score required before entering the Police Academy.

For more information about the CHIP test, visit https://www.certifyfit.com/serve-fit/

Information On An Important Chip-required Document

You must be medically cleared by your physician as being capable to safely perform the CHIP Test. You are required to take the "Medical Approval Form," located in the Forms Section of the Applicant Handbook to your physician and have them sign it. Then, you must bring the signed Medical Approval Form to the Physical Ability Test. If you arrive at the Physical Ability Test without a Medical Approval Form signed by your physician, you will not be allowed to test. This form is also available at: https://www.certifyfit.com/serve-fit/

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

07/01/26- 06/30/27

07/01/27- 06/30/28

1st Year $77,175 $81,034

2nd Year $85,995 $90,295

Full $94,927 $99,673

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Elm City Local of the CT Alliance of City Police, formerly Local 530, Council 15, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.

General Funded hires into this class are not covered by Social Security and will not pay Social Security taxes. They instead participate in the City Pension; the employee contribution rate is 12% of pay.

Bargaining agreements available to review HERE.