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Specialized Units

  • K9 Unit
    The canine unit may be used for building searches, tracking/searching (for missing persons, suspects, or evidence), the apprehension of criminal suspects, narcotic raids and searches, and handler/officer protection.

    Sergeant Robinson

    Sergeant Jared Robinson became a member of the Bethel Police Department in 2015 and in 2022, he was chosen to be a handler for the Department's first ever Bloodhound. A Bloodhound was selected from a Virginia breeder named Momma’s Bodacious Bloodhounds, who donated “Penelope”, or Penny for short, to the Department! Penny was an instant hit and she has gained many, many followers on her Instagram page.

    Sergeant Robinson and K9 Penny spent their first few months bonding and becoming a team; they then went through an extensive training program with Zeus Canine Training. At the end of training, K9 Penny and Sergeant Robinson worked to maintain a tracking certification from NAPWDA. This certification requires the team to follow the scent of a person that has traveled over one mile and had been missing for over an hour. Sergeant Robinson and K9 Penny specialize in tracking lost or endangered persons, or even suspects that have fled the scene of a crime. K9 Penny is considered to be a single purpose K9, but she has been known to enjoy large groups of kids and Bethel’s community events!

    Officer Ammon

    Officer Gregory Ammon became a Bethel Police Officer in 2018 bringing four years of police experience from previously working for the New Haven Police Department. In 2023, Officer Ammon was selected as the next K9 Handler, replacing Sgt. Cleary and retired K9 Bishop. In the summer of 2023, Bethel’s K9 Rebel was selected and named in honor of Prince George’s County Police Department K9 Rebel, who was the first K9 member of that agency to heroically give his life in the line of duty during an attempted apprehension of a burglary suspect.

    K9 Rebel is a 2 year-old German Shepherd born in the Czech Republic. Officer Ammon and K9 Rebel attended an extensive 12-week training program and successfully completed their training in November 2023. K9 Rebel is a dual-purpose police dog including patrol work and narcotics detection certified through NAPWDA. K9 Rebel may also be used for building searches, tracking/searching (for missing persons, suspects, or evidence), the apprehension of criminal suspects, narcotic raids and searches, and handler/officer protection.

  • Major Accident Team
    Comprised of Officers specially trained in crash reconstruction including crash physics and vehicle evidence interpretation. These Officers have specialized tools and equipment to aide in their investigations of serious or fatal collisions involving motor vehicles or pedestrians. The major accident team is under the command of Sergeant James Christos.

  • Bicycle Unit
    Consists of Officers trained in patrol techniques involving the use of specially equipped mountain bikes to patrol our downtown area. Bicycle patrol Officers are also used for special events such as parades and community gatherings.
  • Honor Guard
    The Bethel Police Honor Guard consists of officers who are assigned to respectfully and professionally carry our Country’s Flag in addition to the State, Town, and Department flags with dignity, honor, and respect.
  • School Resource Officers
    Officers are assigned to all five schools on a full-time basis with offices in the Bethel Middle School and Bethel High School. School Resource Officers work closely with the school faculty, staff, and students to make the schools a safer, more enriching environment. The School Resource Officer's days are spent meeting with students, administration, support staff, and parents in regards to various issues or concerns. The School Resource Officers also visit classrooms to give guest lessons on alcohol and drugs, search and seizure, and other constitutional/law related topics. School Resource Officers generally work Monday-Friday during school hours.

  • Car Seat Unit
    The Bethel Police Department has several Officers specially trained in car seat inspections and installation and who are Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. The car seat unit periodically holds designated car seat inspection and installation days.