Branford Chief of Police Kevin Halloran announced today, June 12, that Jonathan Mulhern, currently serving as North Haven's Deputy Police Chief, has accepted a conditional offer of employment to be Branford's new Deputy Police Chief.  Mulhern accepted the conditional offer at the June 11 Branford Police Commissioners meeting, according to a press release issued by Branford Police.

The proposed offer's multi-year contract is currently being reviewed by Mulhern and also requires approval of Branford's Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen, according the release. Mulhern will also be required to meet the Police Officers Standards and Training Council's requirements for a lateral transfer police officer hire, said Halloran.

Branford's Board of Police Commissioners offered the position to Mulhern after "extensive interviews" with seven other applicants; following a search of several months that drew 26 applicants, according to Halloran.  The field of 26 was narrowed with assistance from the South Central Criminal Justice Administration and sitting Connecticut Police Chiefs, according to the release.

"It was a win-win scenario for the department," stated Halloran in the release. "All of the candidates were extremely qualified. [Mulhern's] personality, in-depth familiarity with contemporary policing strategies and techniques, as well as his intimate knowledge of municipal process is what I believe swayed the commission to choose him. I believe the transition will be seamless as changing his shoulder patch."

According to North Haven Police Department's (NHPD) website, Mulhern was appointed North Haven Deputy Police Chief in April, 2011. He started his law enforcement career with NHPD in 1992, first serving as a patrol officer for seven years before being promoted to Sergeant in 1999. He transferred to the Traffic Division in 2002; and from 2004 to 2006 served as a supervisor in the department's Detective Division. Mulhern was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008 and was assigned evening shift commander. 

He also served nine years as the Commander of the South Central Regional SWAT team, comprised of selected police officers from North Haven, North Branford, East Haven, Branford, Guilford, and Madison Police Departments. In 2009, Mulhern became a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Currently, Mulhern is Law Enforcement Vice Chairman for the CT Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security's Regional Emergency Planning Team Steering Committee.

Mulhern has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Central Connecticut State University and masters' degrees in Business Administration and Management from Albertus Magnus College.