Hartford Police Department

About the Hartford Police Department

REAL WORK. REAL CITY. REAL IMPACT.

Step into policing in Connecticut’s Capital City. Gain the experience, confidence, and skills that only a city can offer.

WHY HARTFORD?

Connecticut’s largest municipal Police Department, with a wide range of specialized assignments and opportunities to advance.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

This is Capital City policing.

When choosing between Hartford and a suburban department, look beyond the badge. Look at the work you’ll do, the experience you’ll gain, the impact you’ll make, and where your career can go.

Active Patrol: Respond to a wide variety of calls and gain hands-on experience from the start.
Serious Criminal Investigations: Investigate serious offenses and make arrests that help keep neighborhoods safe.
Real Impact: Protect people, respond when they need you most, and make a difference in communities that need it most.
Opportunities Beyond Patrol: Take that experience into Street Crimes, SWAT, Major Crimes, and more.
BUILD YOUR CAREER

Start in Patrol, where you’ll gain hands-on experience responding to calls, conducting investigations, and learning the city. Build a strong foundation, then pursue opportunities beyond patrol:

Street Crimes: Take a proactive role in addressing street-level crime through enforcement and investigations.
Emergency Response Team / SWAT: Join the most active SWAT team in the state and region.
Full-Time Motors & Traffic Division: Pursue specialized traffic assignments and motorcycle operations with a Motors Unit that is among the best in New England.
Marine & Regional Dive Team: Explore specialized work on the water and underwater.
Community Service Bureau & Walk Beats: Work directly with residents and businesses, build relationships, and address neighborhood concerns.
Full-Time Crime Scene Division: Interested in CSI? Collect, document, and examine evidence that helps solve real cases.
Major Crimes: Investigate homicides, serious assaults, robberies, and burglaries.
Vice, Intelligence & Narcotics: Work major investigations targeting narcotics trafficking and criminal networks, including joint investigations with other agencies.
And More: Explore K9, Special Investigations, and other assignments as your career develops.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN

Your earning potential goes well beyond base pay—even early in your career.

Overtime: Opportunities through patrol coverage, specialized assignments, and event staffing.
Extra Duty: Work concerts, UConn games, special events at PeoplesBank Arena, the Hartford Marathon, and other events throughout the city, along with construction and traffic details.
Strong Earning Potential From the Start: Officers in their first three years can substantially increase their annual earnings through overtime and extra duty, depending on the hours worked and assignments available.
YOUR PATH STARTS HERE

Free HPD NEXT Readiness Program: Prepare for physical agility testing, the written examination, and the oral interview.
Train With Our Team: Work with experienced officers and academy staff to strengthen your skills and approach the hiring process with confidence.
Recruitment Ride-Alongs: Experience a patrol shift, meet our officers, and see Hartford policing firsthand.
We don’t just recruit—we invest in you.

No one does it like Hartford.

Explore our divisions, benefits, readiness program, and career opportunities at JoinHPDCT.com.