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Office of the Chief
James M. Lewis, Chief of Police
Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Contact Number: 203-946-6333


Chief James Lewis
The Chief of Police establishes the philosophical foundation for the department and is ultimately responsible for public safety and policing in the City of New Haven. More specifically, the chief is responsible for the overall management of the department, including major areas of personnel administration, training, fiscal management, and policy formulation. He or she is supported by the Assistant Chief of Police who directly oversees the patrol and investigative functions on a day-to-day basis. Clerical staff is responsible for maintaining the schedules of the chief and assistant chief, correspondence, directing telephone inquiries, and other duties that result in the efficient and effective operation of the Office of the Chief.

The functions under the direct purview of the Office of the Chief are Fiscal Services, Human Resources, Internal Values & Ethics, Public Information, and Support Services. The Chief's office can be reached during regular business hours, Monday thru Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, at 203-946-6333.

With an extensive record of success of leadership in public safety, James M. Lewis served as Chief of Police in Green Bay, Wisc. from 1995 until 2003 and Pomona, Calif. from 2003 until 2006. Most recently, Lewis has worked as
Interim Chief of Police in Appleton and later Grand Chute, Wisc. Having spent his entire career in public safety, Lewis brings with him innovative ideas, a passion for community policing and a dedication to addressing the needs of New Haven’s residents.
Among his top priorities for the New Haven Department of Police Services are: creating an improved system of accountability for narcotics investigations, updating policies, working with community partners to identify alternatives for at-risk youth and improving environments to eliminate cultures of violence.
Lewis, who is 58-years-old, is a graduate of California State University in Bakersfield where he earned a Masters of Public Administration in 1983 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1972. Lewis, and his wife, Kris have two children and a grandchild who still reside in Wisconsin.

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