Chief

A/Chief Heather Burnes has the overall responsibility for the professional, legal, and efficient operation of the Bethel Police Department. A/Chief Burnes was hired in 2000 and in her career she has served as: Patrol Officer, Bike Officer, Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, Police Instructor, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, and as a Certified Crime Prevention Officer. A/Chief Burnes also oversaw the field training program for new hires as the Field Training Coordinator.

In September 2015, she was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the patrol division while also being assigned to the management and oversight of attaining national accreditation through CALEA. In November of 2018, she was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned as the Patrol Operations Commander in charge of all police operations directly relating to the public. In July of 2020 she was promoted to Captain where she served as second-in-command of the Department until becoming Acting Chief January 2026.

A/Chief Burnes holds a Bachelor's Degree in Justice and Law Administration from Western Connecticut State University and is a graduate of the 87th session of the Senior Management Institute for Police, provided through the Police Executive Research Forum.