The New Haven Police Department has received an international award for its work seeking “safe surrenders” on hundreds of outstanding warrants.
Sgt. Sean Maher (pictured) accepted the Webber Seavey award from Chief Dean Esserman Thursday afternoon on behalf of the department’s records division, which has cleared hundreds of minor warrants by asking people to voluntarily turn themselves in.
Started by Lt. Patricia Helliger last year and carried out with the help of the state attorney’s office, the program has cleared “people living in the shadows for minor warrants,” Esserman said.
He also recognized the Yale Child Study Center for its 23-year partnership with the police department, which was highlighted in an international yearlong study of best practices by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
By ensuring that “officers are trained in child development,” the Child Development — Community Policing program helps children who have been exposed to violence and trauma, Esserman said. The department and Child Study Center are working with the IACP and federal Department of Justice to develop resources for helping these children for police departments across the country.
The IACP’s study also recognized New Haven’s police for using the national ballistics network to identify a gun used in multiple shootings, including an unsolved homicide.
