Mayor Harkins Taps Ridenhour as New Police Chief

Editor's note: The following is a press release from the office of the mayor.

Mayor John A. Harkins has named Patrick Ridenhour Chief of the Stratford Police Department. Ridenhour, who has been with the department since 2009, had been serving as the acting chief since the departure of former chief John Buturla last April.

In making his announcement, Harkins said he is looking forward to working with Ridenhour to continue to make positive changes both within the department, and throughout the Stratford community.

"Chief Ridenhour has done a fine job leading the department during his time as the acting police chief," said Harkins. "I have every expectation that he will continue to work with community leaders, his command staff, and officers to serve the residents of Stratford well."

"I want to thank Mayor Harkins for the confidence he has shown in me both as the acting chief and now as the permanent chief. I am extremely grateful for the way I have been embraced by town officials, many citizens, and the men and women of the during my time here," Ridenhour said.

"We have made significant progress in the last year, both internally and externally that I hope to build on during my tenure," he added. "I will continue to work hard every day for the people of Stratford, doing my best to ensure that they get the best police service possible.”

Ridenhour previously served as a member of the Waterbury Police Department for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Assistant Deputy Chief. At the time of his retirement, he was the commanding officer of the Waterbury Police Department's Patrol, Crime Apprehension and Prevention, Animal Control, and Communications Divisions.  

During his career in Waterbury, he helped strengthen the city's enforcement of blight, and created neighborhood enforcement teams to focus on quality of life issues and assisted in the revitalization of the Waterbury Police Activity League (PAL).

Ridenhour holds a Bachelor's Degree from Charter Oak State College, with a combination of Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Management studies and a Master's Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from Springfield College.  

He is also a graduate of FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, where he earned a Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.