Naugatuck Police Announce Officer Of The Year

NAUGATUCK, CT — The Naugatuck Police Department announced this week Detective John Williams has been named Officer of the Year.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, the department said Williams began his law enforcement journey at the age of 16 with the Middletown Police Explorers and later became an auxiliary officer.

After graduating from the police academy, Williams was hired by the Middletown Police Department before joining the Meriden Police Department, according to police.

In Meriden, Williams served in the Patrol Division as both a police officer and field training officer, helping mentor and train new officers, according to the department.

"He was deeply involved in early community policing efforts," police wrote on Facebook, "working closely with residents, city agencies, and neighborhood organizations to build strong community partnerships."

During his time in Meriden, Williams also served as a SWAT team member and a certified mountain bike officer.

He was later promoted to detective, a role he held until his retirement in 2017, according to the department.

Williams joined the Naugatuck Police Department in 2017, where he worked in the Patrol Division before being promoted to detective in 2022, according to police.

Williams is currently assigned to the Detective Division and serves on the Honor Guard, according to the department.

"Over a 42-year career, Det. Williams has earned numerous local, state and federal awards, including Connecticut's Narcotics Enforcement Officer of the Year (2014–2015)," police wrote on Facebook. "Congratulations to Det. Williams on being named Officer of the Year!"

The department's full post can be viewed here.