Darien Police Department 2020

Someone Shot a Paintball at Darien Monument to Fallen Police: Department Asks Public for Help

By |
Download PDF

Darien police are trying to find those responsible for vandalizing the monument to the department’s fallen police officers after someone apparently shot two paintballs at it. The vandalism to the memorial, located by the front entrance to the headquarters building on Hecker Avenue, was discovered on Tuesday. Police Chief Donald Anderson issued a news release asking the public for help in finding the perpetrators. Here’s the announcement, issued Wednesday:

The Darien Police Department is investigating an incident of Criminal Mischief that was discovered on [Tuesday] Aug. 18, 2020.

Darien Police Department 2020
Darien Police Department

Police Chief: Darien Police Department Meets Recently Publicized ‘Eight That Can’t Wait’ Rules

By |
Download PDF

Darien Police Department already complies with the “eight that can’t wait” police reform proposals put out by a nonprofit organization set up to promote police reform and accountability, Police Chief Donald Anderson said Wednesday in an announcement. Anderson’s announcement also included a copy of the department’s mission statement and contact information for those who want to find out more from the department. The announcement was accompanied by a letter from the police chief and a long list of questions and answers about the department’s policies and practices that people might be concerned about, especially in the wake of the George Floyd killing. All the documents are published below. The department follows these “eight that can’t wait” recommendations, the announcement said: choke holds are banned; de-escalation techniques are used in order to avoid violence where possible; no gunshots can be fired at moving vehicles; before using a firearm, an officer must warn the suspect; using a firearm is a last resort after other options have been exhausted or can’t be used; officers have a duty to intervene if they see another officer committing misconduct or the use of excessive force; comprehensive reports must be maintained.

Black Lives Matter
Jayme Stevenson online Chamber talk June 20 2020

First Selectman Describes Town’s Response to Nationwide Concerns About Racism and Police Brutality

By |
Download PDF

Darien police have longstanding policies that already meet some of the calls for policing reforms since the death of George Floyd, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said in an online talk given Tuesday morning. Police officials have had discussions with leaders of a Black Lives Matter march in town, and more are expected, she said. Public discussions and events organized by town groups are also expected, she said. But Stevenson said she’s concerned about the lack of respect in some of the discussions she’s heard in town about issues of race and police brutality. “We all have a lot to learn,” Stevenson said.

Healthy Living
Donald Anderson Darien Police Chief

Police Chief: While COVID-19 Reduces In-Person Contact, Some Police Services Are Being Dropped

By |
Download PDF

Please don’t drop off unused prescription medications at the Police Department during the COVID-19 epidemic, or apply for a tag sale or solicitor permit from the department, and don’t drop off gifts of food there either, Police Chief Donald Anderson said in an announcement Thursday. That’s because, like everyone else, police are trying to keep as much social distance as possible during the epidemic, he said. Police have stopped non-criminal fingerprint services for the same reason. And for the same reason, some policing may even be done on the phone rather than face-to-face. Please call the department’s non-emergency number for anything you need from police that isn’t an emergency.