Deputy Chief William Onofrio

Deputy Chief William Onofrio began his Law Enforcement career as a
Supernumerary Police Officer in Hamden from 1975-1979 after e attending
the New Haven Police Academy in 1975. He was also a dispatcher with the
Hamden Police Department from 1976 – 1979. Deputy Chief Onofrio was
sworn in as a Regular Hamden Police Officer on April 9, 1979.

He worked as a Patrol Officer until 1982 when he was
transferred to the Traffic Division. In the Traffic Division he investigated
serious traffic accidents and conducted motor vehicle enforcement.

In 1984 he was transferred to the Training Division where he
assisted with in-service training of all sworn and civilian personnel and
scheduling of sworn personnel for advanced law enforcement training.

In 1985 he was assigned as an Investigator and transferred to the Internal
Affairs Division. He investigated alleged misconduct by officers and
conducted background investigations on all police applicants.

In 1989 he was promoted to Detective and assigned to the Youth Division. In
1991 he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the Patrol
Division as a supervisor. In 1993 he was transferred to the Detective
Division and worked as a Detective Sergeant. He was re-assigned to the Patrol
Division in 1995.

In January 1999 he was promoted to the rank of Inspector and
assigned to command the Uniform Services Division. While there he was
instrumental in expanding the department’s K-9 Unit. He also oversaw the
Traffic Division, the Special Response Team, and the Community Police Division.

In 2002 the rank of Inspector was formally changed to the rank of Deputy Chief
and Deputy Chief Onofrio remained in his position as the Uniform Services
Commander.

In July 2006 Deputy Chief Onofrio was transferred to command the Investigative
Services Division, which includes the Detective Division, Special Victims Unit,
Crime Scene Unit, and the School Resource Officers.

Deputy Chief Onofrio is the recipient of 15 Commendations, 7 Letters
of Recognition, and 4 Unit Citations. He is a 1973 graduate of Hamden High
School and a lifelong resident of Hamden.