Mayor Garrett Appoints Captain William C. Onofrio
As Deputy Police Chief
Hamden – Mayor Lauren Garrett is pleased to announce the appointment of Hamden Police Department Captain William C. Onofrio as Deputy Police Chief effective Monday, October 16th, 2023.
Captain Onofrio received his Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude in Criminal Justice and Professional Writing from Curry College in 2004 and further went on to receive his Master of Justice Administration from Norwich University in 2008. He also attended Basic Recruit Training at the Connecticut Police Academy in 2005.
Captain Onofrio has served the Hamden Police Department for nearly 19 years as Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. Captain Onofrio established the Neighborhood Initiative Unit, the Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships Council, and the Crisis Services Liaison Officer Program, and implemented a department wide community-oriented policing model for the Hamden Police Department.
Captain Onofrio takes great pride in giving back to his hometown and has worked closely with the community to address their concerns and foster relationships in his roles as member of the High-Risk Youth Task Force, the Hamden/New Haven Juvenile Review Board, and the Quinnipiac University Off-Campus Housing Task Force as well as Task Force Agent of the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force. Captain Onofrio has also supervised the Neighborhood Initiative Unit, Crisis Services Liaison Officer Program, School Resource Officer Program, Community Liaison/Community Relations Outreach Unit, and the Patrol Bicycle Unit.
Captain Onofrio is a highly accomplished law enforcement leader with an incredible wealth of experience from supervising multiple units of police officers and investigations, and spearheading patrol techniques and crime deterrence initiatives. He has a proven track record in prioritizing relationship building and community-oriented policing methods and understands the importance of a proactive policing approach.
Effective Monday, October 16th, 2023, Captain Onofrio will serve as Acting Deputy Police Chief until his appointment is approved by the Legislative Council.
For further information, please contact Deputy Chief of Staff, Alexa M. Panayotakis, at (203) 287-7100 or by email at apanayotakis@hamden.com.