PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED
September 24, 2008

The Berlin Police Department is pleased to announce the promotions of two Officers to the ranks of Lieutenant and Sergeant.  At its regular meeting on September 17, 2008, the Berlin Police Commission voted unanimously to promote Sergeant James Gosselin to the rank of Lieutenant and Detective Todd Lentini to the rank of Sergeant effective September 18, 2008.  The promotions result from the pending retirement of 35 year veteran Lieutenant William McKone. (SEE THE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS)

Berlin Fire Department 65th Anniversary Parade
August 19, 2008

The Berlin Fire Department will celebrate 65 years of volunteer service to the community with a parade on Saturday, August 23rd. Numerous fire companies from across the state are scheduled to appear. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Berlin High School and continue along Patterson Way to Farmington Avenue, Worthington Ridge and the Berlin Turnpike to end at Sage Park.

Activities at Sage Park will include music, entertainment, food, fire apparatus and demonstrations as well as children's games and face painting. After an awards ceremony for parade participants, a fireworks display is scheduled.

SEE THE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

"ROUTINE PATROL" SAVES A LIFE.
June 19, 2008

On Tuesday morning at approximately 11:00 AM Sergeant James Gosselin was patrolling on the south side of town and located a vehicle that was associated with a missing person report. Upon closer inspection he discovered that the missing person was inside the vehicle, unconscious, and in need of emergency medical attention.  

Sergeant Gosselin summoned Emergency Medical Services, forced entry into the vehicle and immediately began care. The patient subsequently regained consciousness and was transported by Hunter’s Ambulance Services to the Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General. The patient continues to recuperate and is expected to fully recover.

SIGN INSTALLATION
May 13, 2008

The State Traffic Commission has approved the installation of a “No Turn on Red” sign on Main Street in Kensington at its intersection with Farmington Avenue.  This is due to the restricted sight line looking west caused by the newly constructed wall in front of Dairy Queen. This sign will be installed in the near future.

Hazardous Moving Violation Enforcement Grant
April 3, 2008

The Berlin Police Department has been awarded a Hazardous Moving Violation Enforcement Grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division. This grant provides $21,225 for the 2008 fiscal year to be spent on increased patrols along the Berlin Turnpike on Friday and Saturday nights. The increased patrols will begin in April and continue through September. The Newington and Wethersfield police departments have also received this grant, and officers from all three departments will work together in a cooperative effort that will stretch the length of the Berlin Turnpike from Berlin to Wethersfield.

SEE THE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

OFFICERS RECEIVE LIFE-SAVING AWARD
March 5, 2008

On February 1, 2008, Sergeant Mark Soneson and Officer Steven Kostka responded to a call of an unresponsive elderly male. Upon arrival the Officers found that the victim had no pulse and was not breathing. They immediately inserted an oral airway and initiated CPR. They performed five cycles of CPR and then attached an AED to the victim. The AED analyzed the victim and advised a shock. This indicated that the immediate and efficient administration of CPR had started the victims heart beating again in an irregular rhythm that the AED was capable of shocking. After one shock the Officers continued CPR until a faint heartbeat was detected. This heartbeat gained strength and eventually the victims blood pressure stabilized at 130/70. The victim was transported to the hospital and was later moved to another unit in stable condition.

This incident reflects the skill and dedication of these Officers to protecting the lives of those they serve. They were awarded the "Life Saving Award" for their accomplishments in this case on Monday March 3, 2008.

THREE OFFICERS PROMOTED
February 23, 2008

The Berlin Police Department announces the promotions of three Officers to the ranks of Captain, Lieutenant and Sergeant. At its meeting on February 20, 2008, the Berlin Police Commission voted unanimously to promote Lieutenant John Klett to the rank of Captain, Sergeant Christopher Ciuci to the rank of Lieutenant and Officer Ann-Marie Haas to the rank of Sergeant effective February 21, 2008. The promotions result from the recent retirement of Captain Ludwig Schubert Jr.

Captain Klett is a 20 year veteran of the department having served as a Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Support Services Sergeant, Operations Lieutenant and Support Services Lieutenant. He was a member of the underwater response team, honor guard commander, firearms and handgun retention instructor, and the department's accreditation manager for 10 years. He is a 1995 graduate of the 180th session of the FBI national academy. He will be taking the place of Captain Schubert as the department's second in command.

Lieutenant Ciuci is a 14 year veteran of the department having served as a Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant and Support Services Sergeant. He is currently the department accreditation manager and was responsible for creating and maintaining the departments web site www.berlinpd.org. He is also an assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and goes around the country assessing law enforcement agencies applying for accredited status.

Sergeant Ann-Marie Haas is a 7 1/2 year veteran of the department having served as a Patrol Officer and Detective. Sergeant Haas is the first female Police Officer to achieve the rank of Sergeant with the Berlin Police Department. She will be assigned to the patrol division as a shift supervisor.

The Police Department will hold a short promotion ceremony on Tuesday February 26 at 6:00 p.m. The ceremony will be an opportunity for family and friends to join with the police department in recognizing three individuals who have earned rank at a higher position.

BHS STUDENTS ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
February 22, 2008

Four Berlin High School students turned themselves in at the Berlin Police Department after learning of outstanding warrants for their arrest. SEE THE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

CITIZEN SURVEY TO BE DISTRIBUTED
February 9, 2008

The Berlin Police Department is interested in hearing from the community about the services we provide. During the week of February 21, 2008 a citizen survey will be sent to each household in the weekly edition of The Berlin Citizen. This survey is one way citizens have to let the department know how we are doing. SEE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR FURTHER DETAILS

RECENT THEFTS
February 4, 2008

Over the past two weeks the Berlin Police Department has investigated numerous crimes that involve the theft of power lawn and garden equipment, and snow blowers. SEE THE ATTACHED PDF FOR FURTHER DETAILS

CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY
January 30, 2008

Police Chief Paul Fitzgerald of Berlin, is proud to announce that the Police Department will be hosting a Citizen's Police Academy in 2008. SEE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR FURTHER DETAILS

TOP (5) MOST OFTEN CITED TRAFFIC OFFENSES 2007
January 10, 2008

Other significant statistics include: 137 operators were issued a ticket for operating a motor vehicle while using a hand-held telephone or mobile electronic device, and 102 operators were arrested for driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The Berlin Police Department will continue these enforcement efforts in 2008, in hopes that the number of traffic crashes occurring on our highways will be reduced and that our ultimate aim of voluntary compliance is achieved. We ask all motorists to help us keep the streets and highways of Berlin safe by being more cognizant of the rules of the road.

Counterfeit U.S. Currency Awareness
November 16, 2007

The Berlin Police Department would like to warn residents and business owners that counterfeit fifty and one-hundred dollar bills have recently circulated in surrounding towns. The suspect in these crimes is described as follows:

Caucasian, female, heavy set, pale complexion, shoulder length "greasy" hair, and wearing a dark pair of glasses, and a brown coat with a fur type collar.

Despite that fact that fifty and one-hundred dollar bills were passed during these recent crimes, one of the most common denominations used is the twenty-dollar bill. It is usually seen more frequently during the Holiday Season, as there is an increase in counterfeit money being circulated at local establishments. To protect yourself against being the victim a counterfeiting crime, we would like to remind everyone to pay special attention to currency you might be accepting or change that you might be receiving for a purchase.

If you suspect that you've received a counterfeit bill please contact the Berlin Police Department immediately at:

Berlin Police Recognized for Speed Enforcement Program
November 15, 2007
The Connecticut Law Enforcement Challenge is an innovative program that provides an avenue to stimulate traffic law enforcement in police agencies. The program targets three major traffic safety priorities: occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding. The Berlin Police Department participates in the Connecticut Law Enforcement Challenge and its programs like the "Click it or Ticket" safety belt campaign , the "Drunk Driving Over the Limit Under Arrest" campaign, and speed management programs designed to reduce speed related traffic fatalities. SEE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Officers receive tools to aid in the investigation of Domestic Violence incidents
October 24, 2007
The Berlin Police Department has been chosen as part of a statewide pilot program in promoting the best practices in the investigation and prosecution of domestic violence incidents. SEE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR FURTHER DETAILS

B.P.D. launches new website
October 12, 2007
The Berlin Police Department is proud to announce the launching of a new website: WWW.BERLINPD.ORG The website is a new initiative to communicate with the community we serve as well as to promote the professional image of the department. Please browse the pages of our site to learn about the mission, services and personnel of the department. SEE ATTACHED PDF FILE FOR FURTHER DETAILS