Shelton Police Chief’s Contract Extended

The Board of Aldermen has approved a new three-year employment contract for police Chief Joel Hurliman. 

Hurliman, who has worked for the Shelton Police Department since 1978, said he looks forward to continuing the job.

Under the new contract, Hurliman will receive a salary of $95,855 during 2010-11, with a potential raise of up to 3 percent each year for the following two years. 

Hurliman is currently paid $93,289, he said.

The new salary is about a 2.7 percent increase. 

Any future raise would have to be approved by Mayor Mark A. Lauretti, the contract says. 

Goals

Hurliman said he expects changes in the department over the next couple years, as some members of the force are looking toward retirement. There are currently 56 sworn members of the department, including the chief.

“One of the things I want to accomplish over the next three years is to select, train, promote and assign qualified personnel to fill positions in the office,” Hurliman said. 

Right now, the department is testing for the lieutenant’s position. 

Hurliman said he also wants to continue updating the department’s technology — specifically the radio system. 

“We want to bring the radio system up to the federally recommended guidelines,” Hurliman said. 

The department is also trying to prevent the types of crimes that often uptick in a bad economy, Hurliman said.

“We have people assigned to different units or divisions to handle things that in the past weren’t necessarily a priority, such as computer crime, identity theft — those are on the increase.”

Background

Hurliman, who started as police chief in 2006, will receive five weeks vacation and reimbursement for an unspecified amount of unspecified ​“reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.”

He will be required to have a comprehensive medical exam by a doctor chosen by the City to ensure he is physically able to perform the duties of the job. 

The contract also requires an annual review with the Mayor. 

Hurliman joined the force as a supernumerary police officer. 

In 1980, he became a full-time patrol officer, and, in 1983, he was promoted to sergeant. 

Hurliman also served as a lieutenant and a captain, before becoming deputy chief in 2004. 

Hurliman took over for former Chief Robert Voccola when he retired in 2006. 

(Here’s the story the New Haven Register ran when Hurliman became chief.)

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org