Even though Ed Lennon has been interested in becoming a police officer since he was young because nearly every man in his family was involved in law enforcement or the military, he never imagined that his path would have led him to becoming a police chief so quickly. This summer, Ed was promoted to chief of police for the East Haven Police Department (EHPD).

“It always interested me since I was a little kid and when I went to college, I enjoyed the classes and it drew me in more,” says Ed, who was hired by the EHPD in 2001. “Did I think when I walked in the door 15 years ago did I think I’d be the chief at this point in my life? I don’t know. I’m kind of shocked that I am, but I’m glad that I am.”

Ed was hired by the EHPD as he finished obtaining his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven (UNH) and started at the police academy three weeks before graduation. After finishing the police academy, Ed worked as an officer for five years before taking a test to be promoted to sergeant at age 26. By 30, he was promoted to lieutenant and in 2014, he became deputy chief.

“I had the fortune of working in every facet or assignment of our department, which has made me really well-rounded,” says Ed, a 1997 graduate of North Branford High School. “At each level [as a supervisor], I’ve had the internal respect because I’ve worked with everyone here and they’ve seen me go through the ranks.”

Ed also earned a master’s degree in national security and public safety management from UNH. He has taken part in many training programs, including the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government executive training program and the 2016 New England Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar sponsored by the FBI. He is a graduate of the 258th session of the FBI National Academy.

With the EHPD, Ed has served as a field training officer, field training program coordinator, training officer, supervisor of the detective division, patrol supervisor, and shift commander and the administrative and training division head. He also previously served as the regional commander of the South Central Regional Traffic Unit and is a Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training certified instructor, teaching at the Connecticut Police Academy and the Milford Police Academy. Additionally, he is part of the cooperative instructor base that teaches for the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.

Ed has seen the department through its more difficult years. He now oversees all divisions of the police department and also serves as the compliance coordinator to the U.S. Department of Justice Settlement Agreement with the Town of East Haven.

“It was good and bad for the department at the same time—if it hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t be on the forefront of policing or gotten national attention on how to reform a police department,” says Ed. “I’m proud I was a part of that with a lot of support, but it was also sad because I knew the people who took a wrong turn some time in their career.”

Ed is also excited to continue more work with the youth of East Haven, expanding on some of the programs founded under Brent Larrabee, former police chief. He has continued to work with the high school on the Cadet Program and is in the process of beginning the Police Athletic League program. Another goal is to hold a Citizens Police Academy for high school students.

“As generations change, the expectations on police change a bit, so these youth programs bridge the gap of understanding that we’re not just people who sit in police cars and pull people over,” says Ed, a CrossFit practitioner who enjoys spending time with his family. “These youth will be the adults we have to do with, hopefully in positive light, going forward.

“My goals are to keep us on our upward trend—I don’t like being stagnant—and continue to be on forefront on 21st century policing,” Ed continues. “We want to be the example opposed to status quo.”

One of Ed’s passions is officer wellness; he focuses on both the physical and mental wellness of his officers. While he is always concerned with the safety of his officers, recent events have underscored the importance of his officer wellness programs.

“As police chief, I’m making sure they’re good—physically and mentally—when they show up for work and it’s my obligation that they show up and go home safely,” says Ed. “I’m also cautious for my officers because a situation can turn bad at any time.”

Despite the tensions in some parts of the country, Ed is quick to point out that the East Haven community has always been supportive of its police department.

“We hear a lot more positive than negative and the town residents are very supportive of us,” says Ed. “Even when it was really negative here, the residents were still supportive. We also get a lot of support from the boards in town and the mayor’s office. Everyone is so great to us and we can’t thank them enough. We really appreciate it.”