Stepping up to lead: Steven Penn becomes the chief of police
by Mark Jahne
Editor
It’s only a few steps from the captain’s office to the chief’s office at Cromwell Police Department headquarters. But as Chief Steven Penn quickly learned, it represents a world of difference.
“I have more pulling on me,” he said.
Penn, a 25-year CPD veteran, was promoted from captain to chief a few months ago by Town Manager Anthony Salvatore, himself a former chief of the department. He hit the ground running and dealt with an extremely busy transition before things started to settle down a bit.
“I started here on Sept. 24, 2001,” he said.
Now 55 years old, Penn follows in the footsteps of other family members who worked in law enforcement. His father Peter, who was the motivation for his career choice, was an officer in the West Hartford Police Department and his grandfather Donald served with the Hartford Police Department. A great-grandfather also served with HPD.
Penn worked his way up the ladder and, as the only captain, was second in command of the department the past few years. He was promoted when Chief Fred Sifodaskalakis retired.
Penn’s resume includes school resource officer, patrol sergeant, youth detective, detective sergeant and Midstate Crime Unit. He said he has thrived working in this police department.
“It always felt like home to me. You know when you have the right spot,” he said.
He was the SRO for Carlson and Mayor James Demetriades when they were students. Being in town this long means he has also created numerous contacts with residents, business people and the school district.
He believes that he made the greatest impact of his career during those years working in the schools. Penn spoke about what it’s like to be under Salvatore’s direct supervision again.
“His expectations are very high. He is very well experienced in everything” that has to do with law enforcement, he said.
Staffing shortages have been an issue in Cromwell and with many other police departments across the state. CPD is close to fully staffed and he is confident that the department can achieve that goal.
“We have two [officer candidates] who just started the academy,” Penn said. There are open positions and “we are getting a lot of candidates.”
It’s not always as easy to recruit as it was in the past. Law enforcement is under more public and governmental scrutiny nowadays.
“Policing has changed over the last 20 years,” the chief said.
Body cameras worn by officers and cell phone cameras used by the public record much of what officers do on a daily basis. He doesn’t have a problem with that because it’s all about making sure they do their jobs properly and in synch with their training.
While some videos may uncover performance or even legal issues, he said videos have also exonerated many officers who were falsely accused of unprofessional conduct.
“We have a really great corps of young men and women here at the police department that I’m really proud of,” Penn said. “This town is very supportive of us.”
Policing is, in general, the same everywhere. What differs is the severity and the volume.
“We have the same calls as Hartford, Middletown, New Haven or Bridgeport. We are a busy department. We have two major highways that go through town,” state Route 9 and Interstate 91.
There is also much more data collection required of law enforcement agencies than in the past.
“Everything we do is data driven,” Penn said.
“Investigations are much more complex,” Carlson added.
So is acquiring a search warrant. Digital forensics is another area of growth.
CPD responds to motor vehicle crashes, violent crime, robberies and burglaries, illegal drug matters, domestic violence and more. Officers are dealing with an increasing number of people suffering from mental illness. They must be on constant alert when interacting with the public.
“Every day is different. There are no routine traffic stops,” Penn said.
The chief added that criminals are becoming increasingly clever.
“Usually when we see people it’s not their best moment. Ninety percent of the people you interact with will lie to you. It’s a hard job and it’s only getting tougher.”
“We deal with a lot of good people, too,” Carlson added.
Penn also pointed out that traffic violations are based upon state law and the money people pay in fines for speeding, running a red light, etc., goes to the state, not into town coffers.
Carlson is also a longtime CPD employee and has been here for 14 years. He, too, worked his way through the ranks including officer, patrol sergeant and detective sergeant.
He was a K9 officer, taught defensive tactics and use of force, and served on the Midstate Accident Reconstruction Team. This is a collaborative effort combining the personnel and skills of officers from multiple other departments including Berlin, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield.
As captain, he oversees the Patrol Division, dispatch and records. He likes that his new position gives him the ability to make changes and to influence and train young officers. He has enjoyed his time at CPD.
“It has been nothing but positive for me,” Carlson said. “I coach football right now at the high school. It’s good to show them who the police are” as people outside of work, he said.
Salvatore, the town manager, is confident that in selecting Penn he picked the right man for the job.
“I thought it was an excellent fit. Every position he’s held, he’s done an outstanding job with it. I hired him when I was chief,” he said.
The manager said the decision was met with support from the rank and file. He added that he is confident Penn will be able to effectively supervise people who once were his peers. CL