Dec 13, 2011 :  Tracey G. Gove appointed West Hartford's new Police Chief

The Town of West Hartford appointed Captain Tracey G. Gove as West Hartford’s new Police Chief on December 30, 2011.  Gove was one of 13 present and past West Hartford police officers who applied for the Chief’s position. 

“This was a very difficult decision,” said Town Manager, Ron Van Winkle, “We had a number of highly qualified applicants for this job.  Any one of them could have served well as our next Chief and that speaks volumes of the quality of our recruitment process and training.  Captain Gove has had an exemplary career and it is an honor to appoint him Chief of Police.” 

Captain Gove has been a member of the West Hartford Police Department for 16 years and is presently Captain of the Patrol Division.  He was Police Officer of the Year in 1999, and has received from the West Hartford Police Department the Unit Citation Award, the Distinguished Unit Citation Award, the Police Merit Award, and the Distinguished Service Award and Medal.  He also received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Enforcement Award. 

He graduated first in his class at the Connecticut State Police Academy and while at the Academy received the Samuel Luciano Award for academic excellence and the CSP Academy Alumni Association Award for overall performance. 

Captain Gove is a member of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities appointed by the State Senate, a member of the Board of the Capital Area Substance Abuse Council, a member of the Commission of Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System appointed by the State House of Representatives and was a member of the Town of West Hartford Human Rights Commission.  He also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Manchester Community College and has a series of published articles on police management issues.

Captain Gove received his Bachelor of Science degree from Westfield State College and a Master of Public Administration degree from theUniversity of Hartford.  He resides inFarmington, Connecticutwith his wife and three sons. 

Captain Gove will replace retiring Chief James Strillacci who has served in the West Hartford Police Department for 35 years, 20 years as Chief.  Chief Strillacci retired on December 29.