Police Detective

Police Detective

The Town of West Hartford announces an internal promotional examination for the position of Police Detective. Applications will only be accepted electronically. Application deadline is Friday, November 2, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Salary range: $106,782-$116,454. All applicants must be currently employed by the Town of West Hartford and working at the time of filing an application, when taking the test, and when they are being appointed to the position.

Job Results:

• Performs specialized police work in protecting life and property; enforcing criminal laws and local ordinances; works in plain clothes and requires the application of special police knowledge in investigation and detection of crime; and exercises independent judgment, although most work is performed in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Job Environment:

• Work is performed both at the scene of a crime and in an office setting.

Essential Job Functions:

• Visits the scenes of crimes, searches for and preserves evidence.
• Investigaates and follows up leads, and searches for and apprehends violators.
• Participates in the interview and interrogation of suspects, complainants, and witnesses to obtain information about crimes/complaints.
• Investigaates reports of missing persons; participates in criminal investigation work taking fingerprints, lifting latent fingerprints and taking pictures of suspects.
• Appears in court to present evidence and to testify against persons accused of crime.
• Keeps abreast of the latest developments in the field of crime detection and investigation.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of departmental procedure, rules and regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of the geography of the Town and the location of areas requiring special police attention.
• Considerable knowledge of pertinent federal and state laws and municipal ordinances with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of persons.
• Considerable knowledge of modern methods and practices of criminal investigation/evidence collections.
• Ability to obtain information through interviews, interrogations, and observation, and to observe and remember names, faces and details of incidents and scenes of crime.
• Ability to understand and execute oral and written directions and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to deal firmly but courteously with the public.
• Skill in the use and care of firearms, fingerprint sheets and in the operation of motor vehicles.

Required Experience and Training:

• As of December 1, 2026, an applicant must have at least three (3) years of experience as a member of the West Hartford Police Department.

Method of Selection:

• Weight Passing Score Written Examination 60% 70%
• Oral Examination 40% 70%
• Time-in-Service Up to an additional 6 points

The suggested references listed below may comprise source material for a major portion of the written exam, but any examination will not be limited to these announced sources:

• Connecticut Law Enforcement Officer's Field Manual, "The Original Red Book", Blue 360 Media Criminal Investigation, Hess and Orthman, 12th edition, DELMAR-CENGAGE Learning Co. | ISBN-13:978-0357511671
• WHPD PRD's, Department General Orders and Procedures as of November 1, 2026 (as they relate to the duties of Police Detective)

Applicants must obtain a passing score of 70% on the written exam in order to qualify for participation in the oral board examination. Applicants who successfully pass the entire examination process with a total score of at least 70% will be placed on an eligibility list in order of their examination scores. The duration of the eligible list shall be two (2) years. Certification of the eligible list shall be from 12/1/2026 through 11/30/2028. However, should this list fall below three (3) candidates, the Town reserves the right to supplement the list. Certification from the eligible list will be made according to the Personnel Rules. No applicant will be promoted to this position, however, if they fail to satisfy all physical requirements for the position as determined by the Chief of Police and a physician selected by the Town Manager. Any employee promoted as a result of this examination must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of six (6) months before the promotion will be considered permanent. The written exam is scheduled for Friday, November 20, 2026, at 9:00am.

Promotional applications must be electronically completed. Please go to the job openings page of Applications must be date stamped electronically on or before 11:59 p.m. on November 2, 2026. The Application for Employment may be accessed from the Town of West Hartford website at Job Openings - Town of West Hartford. Your resume and letter of interest may be linked to your application. Applications will only be accepted electronically.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The Town of West Hartford shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, physical disability or sexual orientation. The Human Resources Department provides reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation on the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department.