 In 1996 the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services adopted an agency wide Community Policing approach. A Community Policing Office was opened in an unoccupied storefront located in the
business district. This office is staffed full time by a Community Policing Officer. A part time staff of 10 volunteers also supports the office. It is from this office that the Community Policing efforts of the department are coordinated.
In the 1940’s and 1950’s policing nationwide consisted of officers walking neighborhoods or “beats”. These officers were familiar with local business persons and residents. There was frequent interaction between officers and the people they served.
Beginning in the 1960’s the style of policing changed. Officers in patrol cars replaced walking beats. There were numerous reasons for this change including budgeting concerns and the need to get the most coverage of an area for the least amount of expense. Crime had increased and police took a more quasi-military style of enforcement. Policing became reactionary-- responding from call to call for service.
In the early 1980’s police executives across the country saw crime increasing dramatically and realized their style of policing was not effective in reducing crime. Law enforcement executives working with the United States Department of Justice determined that the concept of Community Policing being advocated in several metropolitan areas was to be promoted as a nationwide strategy for reducing crime and increasing the quality of life.
Community Policing is performed somewhat differently in every community. The beauty of it is that the program is tailored to what the community requests and requires. What works and is needed in a large metropolitan neighborhood is different but no less important than the needs of a rural community. Community Policing encourages partnerships between the police and local communities so that needs are identified and strategies for solutions are created. This builds trust between the citizens, merchants. students and the police. Police engage in non-traditional activities with all these groups and others to promote trust and encourage communication. When officers are known on a personal level, people are more inclined to talk to that officer and inform him or her of their concerns or complaints. The officer is
then free to formulate a solution with the complainant to solve their concerns, be it graffiti, littering, speeding or anything else important to them. Nationwide, law enforcement executives were surprised to learn through these contacts and surveys that most people were not as concerned with what the executives thought would be their highest priorities, such as burglary, assault and other serious crime. The most common concerns were speeding cars and quality of life issues such as vandalism and abandoned motor vehicles. Such community involvement provides the police an avenue to improve the quality of life for citizens. When these quality of life issues are corrected (abandoned cars removed, abandoned buildings boarded up) crime is found to decrease.
The Old Saybrook Department of Police Services is proud of its extensive Community Policing Program. The Community Policing Office is located in a donated storefront in the Old Saybrook Shopping Center. This no expense facility provides a comfortable and inviting location for residence to speak to an officer and obtain information, guidance or voice a concern or complaint. A full time Community Policing Officer and seven citizen volunteers staff the office. The Community Policing activities of the department are organized and coordinated through the Community Policing Office as well. The following is a small example of the Community Policing programs developed and initiated by the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services.
Youth Citizen Police Academy
Old Saybrook High School students are invited to participate in an eight-week course designed to introduce them into the duties and responsibilities of the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services. The academy meets for three hours one night a week. The diverse curriculum is designed to appeal to high school students. Every officer in the department is encouraged to participate in the instruction of the course. The curriculum includes: History of Policing, Community Policing, Youth Division, Patrol Procedures, Emergency Medical Services, Marine Patrol, Evidence Collection a live fire “Shoot Don’t Shoot” exercise and more.
Ice Cream Helmet Promotion
Patrol officers have been issued specially created coupons to hand out to youth that are observed wearing a bicycle safety helmet. This program is designed to use positive reinforcement to promote compliance with a state law that requires all youth below the age of 16 wear a safety helmet while riding. If a group of youths is observed riding their bicycles the patrol officer will approach and give only those wearing a helmet a coupon. The coupon allows the bearer one free ice cream at a local business.
KidSafe Identification
Residents and parents from this and surrounding towns are invited to come to the Community Policing Office where they can receive a free identification card for their child. The card is carried by the parent to provide ready information to law enforcement in the event the child is lost or abducted. The driver license style card contains a digital photograph of the child, a digital fingerprint and contains medical, and allergy information that may be vital for their treatment. The information is stored on a secure computer that can only be accessed by Old Saybrook Police personnel. The information can be emailed to other law enforcement agencies in the event of the child’s abduction.
Bicycle Patrol
Two specially equipped 21–speed bicycles are available for patrol officers to utilize. The trained officers ride the bicycles to their assigned areas as a means of patrol. This allows for better interaction between the officer and the public. The bicycle officers are responsible for the same duties as those officers assigned to a vehicle. The bicycle becomes a conversation piece and many people approach the officer with curiosity which allows for citizen/officer interaction that may not have occurred without the bicycle. The bicycle also allows for stealthy movements by the officer and aids in the investigation of crimes in progress. The bicycle is equipped with oxygen and other medical supplies. The bicycle patrols both residential and business districts of the town.
School Resource Officer Program
The Old Saybrook Department of Police Services has formed a close relationship with the Old Saybrook School System. This alliance has allowed for the institution of a School Resource Officer Program. Two full time veteran officers are assigned exclusively to the Old Saybrook High School, and the Old Saybrook Middle School. A third officer is assigned part time to the Kathleen E. Goodwin School. The school has become his walking beat. Each officer has an office located within the school, and students are encouraged to come in and speak freely with the officer. The School Resource officer is active in many student organizations and projects, and works closely with the administration regarding security and safety within the school. The School Resource officer’s presence encourages the youth of our community to become
comfortable and familiar with members of the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services. A program goal is to foster trust between officers and youth that will aid in their ability to solve problems.
 C.O.P.R
C.O.P.R. is an acronym for Checking On People Regularly. This program is a computer calling system that contacts the elderly at their residence every day at a specific time. The subscriber decides on the time of the daily call and a computer contacts the residence by phone. If the subscriber answers they hear a recorded voice message telling them that this is their call checking on their well-being. If there is no answer or there is a busy signal, a second and if needed third call is made. After the third un-answered call, an alarm is sounded in the communications center and a patrol officer is dispatched to check on the resident. This computer program was written specifically for our department and all information and hardware is located at the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services. This program is very popular
with the elderly and their families as no elderly person on the program needs to worry about being injured in a fall and not being found for many days.
Child Safety Restraint Installation (Car Seats)
The Old Saybrook Department of Police Services currently has three nationally certified Child Restraint Installation specialists. (several more are preparing for training). These officers will inspect your currently installed car seat or install a new one for you. Currently installed seats will be inspected for proper installation and possible recalls. It is a fact that most car seats are installed or used improperly. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to have an inspection or installation performed. Contact the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services for an appointment. There is no charge.
Explorer Program
The Old Saybrook Police Explorers was established to offer young men and women an insight into the field of law enforcement. At the same time, the members provide helpful service to the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services and to the community of Old Saybrook. Through involvement and service to the community, the Explorer program establishes an awareness of the complexities of police service.
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