East Hartford Police Department Welcomes Five New Officers to the Force

East Hartford, CT – The Town of East Hartford and the East Hartford Police Department Welcomes five New Officers to the Force

From left to right: Chief Mack Hawkins, Akwasi Wiredu, Cristal Santiago, Alyssa Rivera, Elenis Rodriguez, Trey Ayotte, Mayor Connor S. Martin

East Hartford, CT – April 17, 2024 – The East Hartford Police Department is proud to announce the addition of five new officers to its ranks. These individuals bring diverse backgrounds and valuable experiences that will further strengthen our commitment to serving and protecting the community.

"I am pleased to welcome these five new officers to the East Hartford Police Department. We wish them the best of luck as they protect and serve our community.” said Mayor Connor S. Martin.  “As a CALEA-accredited law enforcement agency, East Hartford is proud to provide our new recruits with high quality training, which will help them become a valuable asset to our community.”

Officer Alyssa Rivera joins us at 25 years old, equipped with a Bachelor of Science in Resource Economics. Previously, Officer Rivera worked as a security officer at Pratt and Whitney. 

Officer Elenis Rodriguez, 24, comes to us with a background of service in the Army National Guard. With a focus on criminal justice studies at Tunxis Community College and  experience as a paralegal, Officer Rodriguez will bring a unique perspective to law enforcement.

Officer Cristal Santiago, a 27-year-old native of East Hartford, is a former member of the Hartford Police Explorers program. Having studied Criminal Justice at Manchester Community College, Officer Santiago is ready to bring her experiences to the community.

Officer Akwasi Wiredu, 25, brings a wealth of technological expertise to the force. With two years of experience in Information Technology for the town of East Hartford and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from CCSU, Officer Wiredu is looking forward to his new role as a police officer. 

Officer Trey Ayotte, the youngest member at 21, has spent the last three years serving in the Army National Guard. Officer Ayotte's dedication to service and his experience in the military will be invaluable assets to the department.

"We are thrilled to welcome our new officers to the East Hartford Police Department family," said Chief of Police Mack Hawkins. "Each of them bring unique skills and experiences that will enhance our ability to serve and protect the residents of East Hartford. We look forward to their contributions to our department and the community."

All five officers will commence their training immediately, undergoing rigorous preparation to ensure they are equipped to handle the challenges of law enforcement