2019-Community Police Officer of the Year

This award acknowledges members of the Wilton Police Department who have demonstrated outstanding service to the community with particular emphasis on the Wilton Police values of Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Community Support.

This year’s winner is Lieutenant Dave Hartman. Dave began his career with the Wilton Police Department in August 1999. Over the years, he has truly embraced the Department’s concept of community policing. He has participated in many community policing events the Department has hosted such as Coffee with a Cop and Shop with a Cop. He has been involved in fund raising efforts for the Special Olympics by volunteering his time for events like Tip a Cop and the annual Special Olympics Torch Run.

It is safe to say that Lt. Hartman is one who sets the tone for our Department's community engagement activities. He has been at the forefront of organizing and attending community policing events. He has volunteered each year to be the departments lead in assisting the Wilton YMCA in programs like “Race for Chase” and the annual “Swamp Romp”. “Race for Chase” is a program that helps kids in need who typically wouldn’t have access to summer programs and organized exercise. This officer helps organize and oversee the donation of bicycles for this program. He is also brave enough to take the plunge each year in below-freezing temperatures at the annual “Swamp Romp” hosted by the Wilton YMCA. This event raises money for the YMCAs many youth programs.

Lt. Hartman strives to keep the community safer by conducting frequent Senior Citizen Driver Education classes in partnership with AAA each year. He conducts almost all of the department’s road safety surveys, ensuring that citizen concerns on traffic safety are addressed. He has engaged local media outlets to address specific road safety concerns in the Town of Wilton. Dave was also instrumental in creating a presentation on scams that target our senior population and throughout the year has presented this program with other Wilton officers, to various community groups and senior living communities.

Lt. Hartman recognizes the importance of a police department's interaction with the community in a non-enforcement capacity and sets the example by his own involvement in these activities.