Are you a certified police officer ready to bring your expertise to a specialized public safety role?
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking dedicated, currently certified Police Officers to join our Safety Services Division.
As a DMHAS Police Officer, you will take on a meaningful public safety role in a specialized healthcare environment. These positions exercise full police powers and carry comprehensive law enforcement responsibilities across multiple DMHAS campuses. You will be essential in maintaining the safety, security, and well-being of staff, clients, and visitors while ensuring a safe environment where treatment and recovery can thrive.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- HOURS: Full-time, 40 hours per week
- AVAILABLE SHIFTS: First, Second and Third shift opportunities
- SCHEDULE: Every Other Weekend Off
- NOTE: These positions are Hazardous Duty
- These positions are in the following facilities and can be assigned any facility/location and work schedule/shift:
- Blue Hills Hospital - Hartford
- Capitol Region Mental Health Center - Hartford
- Connecticut Mental Health Center - New Haven
- Connecticut Valley Hospital - Middletown
- River Valley Services - Middletown
- Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System - Bridgeport
- Whiting Forensic Hospital - Middletown
WHY CHOOSE THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
- Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
- Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV)
- Retire after 25 years - with pension and healthcare benefits
- Career development and promotional pathways
- A supportive culture that values a healthy work/life balance
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
- Maintain safety and security through active law enforcement within DMHAS facilities
- Protect clients, staff, and visitors, upholding standards of care and security
- Investigate incidents, enforce laws, and respond to emergencies
- Contribute to client well-being and community safety within a recovery-oriented healthcare setting
- Work collaboratively as an integral member of our Public Safety Division
MORE ABOUT US:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.
The mission of DMHAS' Division of Safety Services - Public Safety Division is to maintain a safe and secure environment of care, in a recovery-oriented healthcare agency, through leadership and partnership, based on trust and understanding with the community we serve. Our officers provide service with understanding, respond with compassion, perform with integrity and enforce the law with impartiality and professionalism.
We have approximately 70 sworn police officers, augmented by building and grounds patrol officers, dispatchers, and other civilian support staff. In a recovery-oriented healthcare service agency, the DMHAS Police have an exciting challenge in providing quality services through traditional law enforcement functions and safety and security management activities which are critical to maintaining compliance required for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and other regulatory entities.
Please note:
- A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
- All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected].
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
- For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alyssa Hovanec at [email protected]
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
In a state agency, college or university this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the protection, safety and security of individuals and property with full police powers and responsibility for law enforcement.
The Police Officer may perform a combination or concentration of the following functions on a fixed or rotating basis as directed by the agency:
SECURITY:
- Provides crowd control at various events and activities;
- Monitors designated areas to ensure physical security and authorized access in order to prevent theft, trespass, vandalism or violation of state statutes or regulations;
- Gives directions and routine information to the public;
- Participates in evacuation activities in event of fire, bomb threats or other potential disasters;
- Operates firefighting apparatus if needed;
- May conduct cruiser or foot patrols;
- May conduct bicycle patrols as weather permits.
PROTECTION:
- Provides traffic and/or crowd control;
- Assesses nature of further assistance needed and makes timely and appropriate arrangements;
- May gather background information and provide threat assessments regarding high risk locations, safety of persons or property, biological or physical threats;
- May respond to emergency situations and provide CPR or first aid to injured parties;
- May transport or escort couriers with currency and prisoners or Absent Without Leave (AWOL) persons;
- May assist in search for escaped patients or inmates;
- May assist State Police in investigation of major criminal acts;
- May be required to maintain building security and perform patrol duties at time of heightened alert level under Homeland Security procedures.
ENFORCEMENT:
- Directs traffic and enforces motor vehicle and parking regulations;
- May initiate and conduct criminal and other investigations of violations, suspicious activities or reports of incidents occurring within jurisdiction;
- May conduct on site investigations, question witnesses, arrest individuals at scene and issue summons.
ADMINISTRATION:
- Records information;
- Applies for and serves arrest warrants;
- Processes paperwork on arrests and activity reports;
- Arranges surety and non-surety bond payments or Written Promise to Appear (WPA);
- Provides court testimony;
- Conducts special programs, projects and services as required;
- May process arrested individuals including determining charges, fingerprinting, photographing, initiating National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) check, searching, removing and inventorying personal belongings and transporting arrested persons to lock up;
- May conduct various safety training, certification and/or recertification courses;
- May perform minor equipment repairs;
- May make public presentations regarding crime prevention and safety;
- May serve as dispatcher;
- Performs related duties as required.
CONNECTICUT LOTTERY CORPORATION:
- May enforce gaming regulations for Connecticut Lottery Corporation and casinos.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:
- Assists Conservation Enforcement Officers in the enforcement of state laws and regulations pertaining to fish, wildlife, parks, forests, boating, snowmobiling and the use of department owned or leased land facilities.
- Knowledge of
- police and security practices and procedures;
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- traffic and crowd control practices and procedures;
- criminal law and court procedures;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to
- analyze emergency situations and develop effective courses of action;
- utilize computer software.
Certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
NOTE: Candidates with a pending certification status may be employed on a temporary basis pending re-certification by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
Successful completion of prescribed training and probationary requirements set forth in the class of Protective Services Trainee.
- Applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States by date of appointment.
- Candidates for this class are subject to selection standards pursuant to Section 7-294-a-e of the Connecticut General Statues and the regulations of the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
- Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain authority from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to “arrest and present before a competent authority any person for any offense committed within his precinct.” (Connecticut General Statutes 29-18 and/or 10a-142)
- Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut pursuant to Section 7-294-a-e of the Connecticut General Statutes and the regulations promulgated by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council. Loss of certification will result in removal from the class.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to maintain certifications pursuant to the regulations of the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council and/or agency requirements.
- Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle operator’s license.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain and retain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
- Incumbents in this class must be eligible and qualified to bear arms.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:
- Incumbents in this class will be required to obtain and retain a Standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate and participate in any job-related training sessions.
- Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignments or transfers to any region of the state consistent with departmental policies or stipulations and work a flexible schedule.
- Incumbents in this class must establish residence within Connecticut after completion of the Connecticut Police Training Academy Program.
In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.
- Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required, to perform the duties of the class. A physical fitness assessment will be required of all applicants.
- A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:
- Incumbents in this class must be able to pass a swim test including swimming 100 yards within four (4) minutes.
Incumbents in this class may be exposed to unpleasant and/or dangerous situations which could cause injury or loss of life, to uncomfortable weather conditions and/or to confinement within a vehicle for prolonged periods.
