East Hartford Police Department Promotes New Assistant Chief, Deputy Chiefs

East Hartford, CT—Thursday, October 28 was a big day for the East Hartford Police Department with the swearing in of the new administration during an informal ceremony. A formal ceremony will take place at a later date.

Deputy Chief Hawkins was sworn into the position of Assistant Chief—a brand new position, Lieutenant Litwin and Lieutenant Olson were promoted to the position of Deputy Chief.

“I am delighted to witness this well-deserved promotion today,” said Mayor Marcia Leclerc. “Assistant Chief Hawkins, Deputy Chief Litwin and Deputy Chief Olson have been tremendous assets to the Police Department and our community for many years and I am proud to see them get sworn into their new roles.”

“This is a great day in the history of the Department,” said Police Chief Scott Sansom. “I’m so proud of the officers promoted today. They are extremely experienced, and throughout their careers they’ve displayed their commitment to the department and the Town.  What a great team to lead the next generation of police officers protecting our community!”

Assistant Chief Hawkins:

Assistant Chief Mack S. Hawkins was born and raised in East Hartford, CT and attended East Hartford school system.  He was hired by the Hartford Police Department in 1991.  He began his career as a Police Cadet, and then became a Patrolman, worked his way through the ranks to become a Bicycle/Community Service Officer and Disorder Control Team Member.  As a Detective in the Juvenile Investigation Division, he investigated crimes against children such as assaults, child abductions, juvenile delinquency, and truancy. As an Adjunct Instructor for the department in Juvenile Law & Investigations, he maintained a comprehensive knowledge base of juvenile laws and their application to sensitive investigations. As a Police Sergeant in the Intelligence Division, he supervised all dignitary details, oversaw Narcotics Investigations and Public Corruption cases.  As a Sergeant, he worked in the Patrol Division, North Community Response Division and The Detective Bureau as well as supervised the Cadet Program and the Disorder Control Team.  From this position, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant and became the Commander of the North End and the Major Crimes Division.  His career bloomed further as he became the Executive Commander for the Police Chief, overseeing Patrol Operations, Support Services and the Detective Division.  Assistant Chief Hawkins has received letters of commendation and citations over the years. 

Assistant Chief Hawkins was appointed to Deputy Police Chief in East Hartford in 2014 and directed operations for 150 plus sworn and civilian personnel. He planned, managed, and led all uniformed functions of the department, which includes maintaining command responsibilities for the delivery of police service, as well as the approval of department reports, strategic plans and community-based initiatives. He has managed the Operations Bureau, Communication and Professional Standards. Assistant Chief Hawkins will now oversee the department’s entire operation. 

Deputy Chief Litwin:

Deputy Chief Litwin was hired by the East Hartford Police Department on June 24, 2002.  He began his career in the Patrol Division and has served in the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Support Services Bureau, and Professional Standards Bureau.  He’s been a Firearms/Use of Force instructor for most of his career, and has also served on the Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team and Peer Support Team.  In January, 2012 he was promoted to Sergeant, and after supervising the Patrol evening-shift he joined Department Administration overseeing the Support Services Bureau, then was transferred to the Professional Standards Bureau and Internal Affairs.  He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in July of 2016 and was appointed as Executive Officer – Office of Chief of Police (Chief of Staff), which included serving as Department Spokesperson / Public Information Officer, and OIC of the Department’s Community Outreach Division—a program that he established. He also served temporarily as the OIC of Communications/Dispatch, created and Chaired the Department’s research/testing and evaluation (pilot program) committee for the Department’s Body Camera Program, and established the Department’s current Community Policing program. Deputy Chief Litwin has received several official Letters of Commendation over his years with EHPD, as well as a Life Saving Citation and recognition from the Department of Justice - U.S. Attorney’s Office for outstanding leadership with Community Policing.  He is also been recognized for publically representing multiple agencies during a critical incident that received international coverage (2016 - plane crash on Main Street, nearby Pratt & Whitney).     

Deputy Chief Litwin’s appointment to the Office of Professional Standards where he served 3 years in Internal Affairs, many more years as part of the Department’s Accreditation Team, and with Officer Training, will be extremely familiar to him.  His duties will include managing Internal Affairs, Accreditation, Freedom of Information, Training, Firearms, Recruitment and Hiring, as well as Research and Planning.

Deputy Chief Olson:

Deputy Chief Olson was hired by the East Hartford Police Department on June 21, 1999.  He began his career in the Patrol Division and also served in the Criminal Investigations Bureau as an Investigator. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in March of 2010 and worked in the Patrol Division, again in the Criminal Investigations Bureau and in the Support Services Bureau where he served as the Director of Public Safety Communications. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in July of 2016 where he served in the Support Services Bureau and in 2018 he took over as the OIC of the Criminal Investigations Bureau until his appointment to Deputy Chief, Operations and Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Deputy Chief Olson has served as a Field Training Officer, as a member of the Capitol Region Emergency Services Team, as a Sniper and Graduate of the FBI Sniper/Observer Training Academy and has served on the departments Awards and Recognition Committee since 2003. Deputy Chief Olson has received several official Letters of Commendation and Meritorious Service Citations over his career.

Deputy Chief Olson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration from Charter Oak State College and a Master of Arts Degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arizona State University. He also recently attended the FBI LEEDA Executive, Command and Supervisory Leadership Courses and is a graduate of the Leadership Greater Hartford Community Policing Initiative. Deputy Chief Olson is also a former resident of East Hartford and graduate of East Hartford High School.