Community Relations Unit
The Rocky Hill Police Department Community Relations Unit is a division within our agency which embraces the Police-Community Partnership philosophy which was established upon the department's inception in 1938.
The Community Relations Unit holds annual lectures on topics such as personal safety and crime prevention, and is very active in the local business community. The Police Department Public Information Officer is also the liaison to the Chamber of Commerce.
Today our department provides the following services to our community by request and special events are hosted or attended by members of the Rocky Hill Police Department.
Cop's and Tots Reading Program - Uniformed members of the Rocky Hill Police Department visit local daycare centers and read to the youngest members of our community. The goal of this program is to establish a child's first contact with the police as a positive one. Officers also attend town run summer school activities.
Toys for Tots - Every Christmas, uniformed members of the Rocky Hill Police department collect new toys for the town's neediest children. This highly successful program is done in conjunction with the Town of Rocky Hill Human Services Department.
Teddy Bear Collection - The police department collects new Teddy Bears, so that they can be stored in the trunks of our police vehicles. The bears are distributed to traumatized children who are involved in critical incidents such as crimes or car accidents.
Community Policing Substation - The Community Relations Unit operates a Police Sub-Station in the Pavilion West Shopping Plaza, located at 632 Cromwell Avenue. This professional office space is donated to the Police Department through the generosity of a local business person. Events held at this facility include Community Meetings, Block Watch Programs and public relations classes such as the Citizen Police Academy. The space is also used by the Police Explorer Post, a group of local youths who have a strong interest in law enforcement.
The Police Department Bicycle Patrol is also based from the Police Sub-Station.
Crime Prevention Office - As part of the Community Relations Unit, crime prevention officers provide education and awareness to residents in matters of home, business and personal security. On site home security audits are conducted by specially trained officer by appointment. Updated crime prevention strategies are shared with the community through public appearance, written media and via the internet.
Block Watch and Community Partnership Organization - By request and by need, the Rocky Hill Police Department will help neighborhood groups organize an effective crime preventing block watch program. Residents learn how to effectively identify and report crime. Officers work with local senior citizen groups, in an effort to curb crimes against the elderly by making them aware of scams and crimes which target this vulnerable group.
Media Relations - Contact with all forms of media is handled through the community relations office. Press releases and public appearances are conducted by specially trained officers in matters of public interest including but not limited to crimes, crime prevention, positive police-public interest programs and department news.
Liaison to the Rocky Hill Chamber of Commerce - Recognizing the importance of open communication with all of our residents as well as our corporate residents, the Rocky Hill Police Department attends chamber of commerce meetings and functions and solicits ideas as to how we can better serve the community.
Police Explorer Post 911 - The Rocky Hill Police Explorer Post is a youth group for ages 14- 21, providing training and experience to young members of our community with an interest in law enforcement.
Youth Mentoring Program - As part of the department's huge commitment of resources to the Rocky Hill Public School System, Rocky Hill Police Officers mentor high school youths, in attempt to build trust and recruit individuals to the rewarding career of law enforcement. Officers of the community relations unit attend career day at both Griswold Middle School and Rocky Hill High School.
College Intern Coordination - Working with area colleges with accredited criminal justice/sociology programs, the Rocky Hill Police Department participates in an intern program which exposes students to the field of law enforcement. Students volunteer 120 hours of service to the police division, in return for college credit.
Project Kid Care - Polaroid Corporations highly successful Kid Care Program is conducted throughout the year by the Rocky Hill Police Department. Photo passbooks are created for each participating child, providing police with updated information relative to a lost or abducted child. Using both grant and police department funding, the Rocky Hill Police Department has created more than four thousand Kid Care Passbooks at local schools, fairs and businesses.
Underage Drinking Coalition - Taking the lead in the deterrence of underage drinking, the Rocky Hill Police Department has several members which serve on the Town of Rocky Hill Underage Drinking Coalition panel. Members of our department were instrumental in obtaining two substantial grants; one which funds programs relative to discouraging underage drinking and the second which provides funding for a vehicle used for enforcement purposes.
Homebound Contacts during Critical Events - Members of the Community Relations Unit contact elderly and disabled residents during severe weather and power interruptions, offering service and comfort during critical times.
Quality of Life Issues - The Community Relations Unit intervenes in matters which impact the quality of life of our residents. Neighborhood problems, blighted property and all police related matters are addressed professionally and impartially.
Police Honor Guard - The Police Honor Guard is a ceremonial escort unit which provides a professional police presence at all Town of Rocky Hill events requiring a formal police appearance. Honor Guard Officers attend the Memorial Day Parade, September 11th Ceremonies, funerals and other town functions requiring this specialized team of officers.
We've compiled an album of picture of the Honor Guard.
Car Seat Inspections - Child car seats are inspected for quality and installation by a specially trained member of the public relations unit. By appointment, residents may come to the Rocky Hill Police Department and have their car seats inspected for correct installation by a professional officer.
All of these events are carried out by police personnel as part of their specialized assignments. The Police Honor Guard is a voluntary unit made up of officers from the uniformed patrol division. Questions related to the Community Relations Unit of the Rocky Hill Police Department may be directed to Sergeant Robert Catania at (860) 258-2751.
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