Bethel Police Department

BETHEL POLICE DEPARTMENT

ABOUT OUR TOWN

Bethel, Connecticut is a small New England town formed in 1855, and located in northern Fairfield County. Bethel lies sixty miles northeast of New York City and fifty miles southwest of Hartford and is accessed by state routes 6, 53, and 58 and Interstate 84. A town of more than 20,000 people on over 17 square miles, Bethel is served by a full time police force, two volunteer fire departments, and the David W. Deakin Educational Park, which contains five schools from grades K- 12 and sports fields on one campus. The birthplace of P. T. Barnum, Bethel is home to the corporate headquarters of Duracell Inc and Eaton, along with the bucolic Blue Jay Orchards.

MISSION

To protect the public from crime. To investigate, identify, and arrest criminal offenders. To support and protect the legal and civil rights of all people. To keep and honor the public trust. To respectfully comply with and obey the laws of our federal, state, and local governments. To establish and bind ourselves to professional rules of conduct. To be helpful in assisting the community as well as fellow officers and employees whenever possible

HISTORY

In 1855 the area of Bethel separated from Danbury and incorporated as the “Village of Bethel.” The Village of Bethel maintained a few Constables to enforce the law, answering to the First Selectman. They received calls through Danbury’s phone and radio system and by word of mouth. It would not be until 1947 that the Bethel Police Department was officially organized with a Police Chief and Police Commission.

Morris Britto, a Bethel native, became a Constable in 1912. This was a part time job that Britto worked along with his regular job at the Nashville Road Hat Shop. Britto later became a full time Constable serving as the Town’s only Police Officer. During this time the Police Department was located at 15 Fountain Place, now named P.T. Barnum Square. In 1933 the Police Department moved to 133 Greenwood Avenue. and in 1963 to Library Place, into the old Town Hall building. In 1973 the Department relocated to 49 Plumtrees Road. In October 2018 the Department moved again to a brand new facility located at 12 Judd Avenue.

POLICE HEADQUARTERS

The Bethel Police Department is pleased to announce that we have completed the move into our new Police Headquarters located at 12 Judd Avenue. The new building consists of approximately 26,000 square-feet of much needed space to conduct police operations.  The Department, which employs 37 sworn Officers, 2 reserve Officers, and 13 civilian employees, had outgrown the old 8,200 square-foot Headquarters at 49 Plumtrees Road.

DIVISIONS

•Animal Control
•Detective
•Investigative Services
•Patrol Operations
•Professional Standards
•Records
•Specialized Units
•Training
•Youth