West Hartford Police Det. Benjamin Delmonte has been named ‘2016 Police Officer of the Year’ by American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96.

Submitted by Moe Fradette

The American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 has recognized West Hartford Police Detective Benjamin Delmonte as the “2016 Police Officer of the Year.” Each year the American Legion honors one individual as the Police Officer of the Year, chosen and recognized by fellow officers, for upholding high moral, ethical and professional standards and for efforts that have gone above and beyond the call for duty. Recipients of the Police Officer of the Year award are considered the department’s “ideal officers.”

Det. Delmonte joined the West Hartford Police Department on January 1, 2006, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Connecticut. He graduated from the Police Academy in June 2006 receiving a Firearms award for perfect scores in all four shooting relays. Prior to joining the Detective Division he worked in the Patrol and Traffic divisions.

In his remarks, Police Chief Tracy Gove acknowledged the outstanding work Delmonte has done as a Field Training Officer and Intoxilyzer Instructor for the Department. He cited the five Unit Citations received by Delmonte and stated, “Detective Delmonte has worked with students, acting as a mentor, from our Behind the Badge College Academy program and the University of Hartford’s Express to Success program. He was also the recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award in 2009.”

Using his computer training Detective Delmonte created a Training Division system to track officer’s training records and has also developed and published an iPhone app for CT Law Enforcement named “CT LAW.”

[Now] Mayor Shari Cantor addressed the group thanking the entire West Hartford Police Department for their outstanding work and read a proclamation from the Town of West Hartford declaring April 27, 2016, “Detective Benjamin Delmonte Day” in West Hartford.

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, the American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

The American Legion of West Hartford is open to military veterans who have served honorably during a wartime era and military personnel currently on active duty. Further information is available on the Post’s website at www.post96.org or the public is welcome to visit HayesVelhage Post 96, a smoke free facility, at 45 Raymond Road, West Hartford, CT. 06107, phone 860-233-9029.