By Amelia Anderson The Hartford Police Department, commonly known as HPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving Hartford, Connecticut. It provides patrol, emergency response, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, community policing, detention services and other public-safety functions within city limits.
Dial 911 when an incident poses an immediate danger, violence is occurring, a suspect is still present, someone is seriously injured or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is necessary. For routine police calls that do not involve an immediate emergency, contact HPD at 860-757-4000. Anonymous crime information may be provided through the department’s tip line at 860-722-8477.
Hartford Police operates from the Hartford Public Safety Complex and organizes community policing geographically through North and South districts, which are further divided into Northwest, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest areas.
Hartford Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Hartford Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | HPD |
| Headquarters | 253 High Street, Hartford, CT 06103 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency number | 860-757-4000 |
| Office of the Chief | 860-757-4010 |
| Police chief | James C. Rovella |
| Records Division | 860-757-4150 |
| Internal Affairs | 860-757-4030 |
| Watch Commander | 860-757-4320 |
| Property Room | 860-757-4180 |
| Anonymous Tip Line | 860-722-8477 |
| Main patrol areas | Northwest, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest |
| County | Hartford County |
| Online reporting | Available for selected non-emergency incidents |
| Hartford Correctional Center | 177 Weston Street, Hartford, CT 06120 |
| Correctional Center phone | 959-200-3000 |
James C. Rovella currently serves as Hartford’s police chief. He previously led HPD beginning in 2012 and later served as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection before returning to lead Hartford Police.
Hartford Police Department Address
The department’s headquarters is located at:
- Hartford Public Safety Complex, 253 High Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06103
- Non-emergency: 860-757-4000
The Public Safety Complex houses the Police Department and several administrative, patrol, investigative and public-service operations.
Residents may use headquarters for services such as:
- Filing qualifying police reports
- Requesting police records
- Contacting Internal Affairs
- Obtaining towing information
- Asking about recovered property
- Applying for certain police-related permits
- Speaking with appropriate department personnel
The Office of the Chief can be contacted at 860-757-4010, while the on-duty Patrol Watch Commander can be reached at 860-757-4320.
Hartford Police Patrol Districts
Hartford’s community-service and patrol structure is divided broadly into North and South districts. Within these areas, HPD identifies four geographic district-management areas:
- Northwest
- Northeast
- Southeast
- Southwest
The North District includes Northwest and Northeast operations, while the South District includes Southeast and Southwest operations. Each area has a district manager who works with patrol personnel and community officers on crime trends and neighbourhood concerns.
This geographic system helps HPD manage patrol coverage without requiring residents to determine a traditional precinct station before asking for help. Dispatchers use the exact address of the incident to send the appropriate officers.
Community Service Officers
HPD also assigns Community Service Officers to individual neighbourhoods.
These officers work with:
- Residents
- Block-watch groups
- Local businesses
- Faith organizations
- Community associations
- Homeless-outreach programs
Their role is particularly focused on recurring quality-of-life concerns, neighbourhood communication and crime prevention.
Current community assignments include areas such as Upper Albany, Northeast, Upper Blue Hills, Asylum Hill, West End, Parkville, Downtown, Frog Hollow, South Green, Barry Square and the South End.
Hartford Police Department Divisions
HPD operates through several major command and service areas, including Patrol and Community Services, Investigative Services, Administrative Services and Professional Standards.
Patrol Operations
Patrol officers provide the department’s frontline response to calls for service.
Their duties include:
- Responding to crimes and disturbances
- Assisting victims and injured people
- Securing crime scenes
- Searching for suspects
- Interviewing witnesses
- Collecting preliminary evidence
- Conducting traffic enforcement
- Making arrests when appropriate
- Preparing initial police reports
- Addressing recurring neighbourhood problems
Patrol Operations also works with Traffic, Detention and specialized response teams.
Investigative Services Bureau
Cases requiring additional investigation may be assigned to the Investigative Services Bureau.
Its principal sections include:
- Major Crimes
- Crime Scene Division
- Special Investigations
- Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics
Major Crimes investigates serious offences that may include homicide, robbery, shootings and other violent crimes. Crime Scene personnel document scenes and process forensic evidence.
Special Investigations and Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics focus on complex investigations requiring specialized techniques or intelligence gathering.
Not every report receives a detective assignment. Available evidence, the seriousness of the offence, suspect information and the likelihood of developing investigative leads may affect follow-up.
Specialized Police Teams
HPD also maintains specialized resources that may include:
- Emergency Response Team
- Hostage Negotiation Team
- Bomb Squad
- Marine and Dive Team
- Traffic enforcement
- Special-event policing
- Auto-theft investigations
- Crime analysis
- Community outreach
These units assist patrol and detectives during incidents requiring advanced training, equipment or coordinated response.
What County Is the Hartford Police Department In?
The Hartford Police Department is located in Hartford County, Connecticut.
However, Connecticut differs from many other states because its counties no longer operate county governments. Hartford Police is therefore a city police department, not a county police agency.
HPD primarily handles incidents inside Hartford city limits. Nearby communities—including West Hartford, East Hartford, Wethersfield, Newington and Windsor—have separate municipal police departments.
Connecticut State Police also has separate statewide responsibilities.
A mailing address containing “Hartford” does not always establish HPD jurisdiction. When there is uncertainty, provide the complete street address to police dispatch.
Filing a Hartford Police Report
HPD provides an online Police-to-Citizen self-reporting system for selected incidents.
Online reports may be filed for:
- Lost property
- Vandalism or property damage
- Theft or vehicle break-in with little or no suspect information
- Identity theft
- Fraud
The online system is intended for non-emergency incidents where an immediate officer response is unnecessary.
When filing, provide clear information about:
- Who was involved
- What was stolen, lost or damaged
- When the incident occurred
- Where it happened
Call HPD directly rather than relying on online reporting when someone is in danger, the suspect remains nearby, a weapon is involved or important evidence requires immediate police attention.
After making a report, retain the case number. It is the fastest way for Records personnel or investigators to locate the file.
Obtaining a Hartford Police Report
Police records are handled by:
Hartford Police Records Division
253 High Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Telephone: 860-757-4150
Current public hours are:
- Monday: 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Weekends: Closed
Records are also closed on federal holidays.
Reports generally require at least 7 to 15 business days after an incident before becoming publicly available.
The current fee for an incident report is 50 cents per copied page.
Helpful information includes:
- Case number
- Names of involved people
- Incident date
- Incident location
- Requester’s contact information
Reports may be redacted or withheld when Connecticut law protects information or when disclosure would affect an unresolved case.
Accident reports can also be obtained through the department’s designated online system.
Property and Evidence
Hartford Police maintains a Property Room for found property, recovered items and evidence associated with investigations.
Property Room: 860-757-4180
Service hours: Weekdays, approximately 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
A person attempting to claim lost property should provide:
- A detailed description of the item
- Information about when and where it was lost
- Proof of ownership
- Valid identification
HPD states that found property is generally held for six months after being turned in. Positive identification is required before property is released.
Evidence connected with an active criminal case may remain unavailable until investigators, prosecutors or a court authorize its release.
Towed Vehicles
People searching for a vehicle towed by Hartford Police should contact the Records Division at 860-757-4150.
Have either:
- Vehicle identification number, or
- Licence-plate number
Records personnel can identify the towing company, provide its phone number and give the tow reference number.
The city currently lists a basic tow charge of $92 plus tax, totaling $97.84, although additional storage or other charges may apply. Owners are advised to retrieve vehicles promptly to limit storage costs.
Special procedures apply to vehicles removed during snow-parking bans.
Complaints About Hartford Police Employees
Complaints involving HPD officers or employees can be submitted through the Internal Affairs Division.
Internal Affairs Division
253 High Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Telephone: 860-757-4030
A complaint may be made:
- Online
- By email
- By telephone
- In person
- By mail
Complaint forms are also available at City Hall, Hartford Police Headquarters and Hartford Public Library branches.
Useful details include:
- Date and time
- Exact location
- Officer’s name or description
- Badge number, if known
- Police vehicle information
- Report or citation number
- Witness information
- Photos, recordings or video
Hartford also has an independent Office of the Inspector General that investigates certain allegations of police misconduct on behalf of the Civilian Police Review Board. The Inspector General operates independently of HPD Internal Affairs.
Hartford Arrest and Correctional Center Information
Hartford Police has detention responsibilities associated with arrests and processing, but Connecticut does not operate a traditional county-jail system.
People requiring continued pretrial detention may enter the Connecticut Department of Correction system.
A major local facility is:
Hartford Correctional Center
177 Weston Street
Hartford, CT 06120
Telephone: 959-200-3000
The facility is operated by the Connecticut Department of Correction, not the Hartford Police Department. It is a Level 4 high-security facility that primarily houses pretrial detainees and serves courts in Hartford and several surrounding communities.
Questions concerning a person who has already entered state correctional custody, visitation or facility rules should therefore be directed to the Department of Correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Hartford Police non-emergency number?
Call 860-757-4000 for routine police matters that do not require an immediate emergency response.
Q2. How is Hartford divided for police patrol?
HPD uses North and South district structures, with Northwest, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest geographic management areas.
Q3. Can I file a Hartford police report online?
Yes. Qualifying lost-property, theft, vehicle break-in, vandalism, identity-theft and fraud incidents can be submitted through HPD’s online self-reporting system.
Q4. Does Hartford Police operate a county jail?
No. Connecticut does not use a traditional county-jail system. People requiring continued detention may be placed in facilities operated by the Connecticut Department of Correction, including Hartford Correctional Center.