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DeMaio Honored with U.S. Attorney’s Community Policing Award

Clinton Chief of Police Vincent DeMaio was one of 15 Connecticut law enforcement officers and community members honored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut at an Oct. 30 Community Policing Awards Ceremony.

“Today we honor the very best in community policing in Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham. “These deserving law enforcement officers understand that community policing is an effective way to prevent crime, solve neighborhood problems and keep our cities and towns safe and secure. They know that it is critically important to engage with members of the community in positive, friendly and constructive ways, long before a call for service. My sincere congratulations to each of these award recipients. I thank them for their invaluable work, which continues to strengthen the communities they serve.”

DeMaio, nominated by the Clinton Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC), has implemented multiple programs geared toward improving relations with the Clinton community while operating within a budget five percent below the previous year.

According to the BOPC nomination, “The chief reintroduced the DARE program to the elementary and middle school to rave reviews by teachers and parents. The revamped program focuses on decision-making strategies and awareness.

“All Clinton officers have been trained and equipped to administer Narcan to combat opioid overdoses. To date, Narcan has been administered on 15 calls with three being life-saving.

“The Child Safety Seat Installation Program is staffed by personnel trained and certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA) in proper child safety seat installation. The program has installed 100 seats and donated 20 to those unable to afford new car seats. Our trained officers visited the Day Care Centers in Clinton and held seminars to educate the parents on proper use. This approach reached more people as it removed any fear of going to the police station. It brought officers closer to the community they live and care about and left a positive message.

“Additionally, the chief has implemented the R.A.D. Rape & Aggression Defense program and a redesigned K9 program. He has engaged the department in multiple social media platforms, created the Shoreline Technical Crimes Investigative Group and implemented the Lethality Assessment program.

“The Clinton Police Department continuously looks for ways to educate the public on crime prevention and awareness of public safety hazards, frequently partnering with the school system and other community groups to make public service announcements or host presentations to help make the community safer. One of the more recent successes was hosting the ‘Chasing the Dragon’ program to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic facing our state and the nation.

“Lastly, Chief DeMaio hosts a monthly radio program on iCRV radio called “SCAM PATROL,” which alerts citizens to many scams, frauds, and other types of cyber-crime and how to protect themselves and their identities.”