Groton Police Officer honored with national award for community policing
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Jun. 5—GROTON — Community Policing Officer Heather M. McClelland, who has been with the Town of Groton Police Department for more than 11 years, was honored Monday with the U.S. Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing.
McClelland was among 19 law enforcement members from around the nation honored with the award from U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., according to a news release.
Town of Groton Police Chief L. J. Fusaro said by phone Monday that he is absolutely thrilled and proud of McClelland and the work she's done with community policing, as well as addressing officer wellness and mental health with her canine partner Chase. He said McClelland has a strong connection to the community but her reach goes beyond Groton.
When something unfortunate happens in Connecticut or even farther away, she and Chase provide support to victims of crime, to the state's attorneys office, to the police departments, and to the families of the victims, Fusaro said. He said the program she has with Chase is the first of its kind, but it won't be the last, as many other agencies have emulated it.
"She truly has been innovative but really has been caring and has taken this position and really run with it and certainly painted our department and law enforcement in a different light, in a more caring, attentive, and just an overall positive image, and we couldn't ask for any more from someone like Heather," Fusaro said. "She just does so much."
"Officer McClelland organizes and runs in the Groton portion of the Special Olympics Torch Run," the award program states. "She has also organized and helped with other community events such as the Safe Futures Toy Drive, a United Way Food Distribution Drive, the Special Olympics 'Penguin Plunge,' a drug takeback day, and meet-and-greet events at area businesses, along with Chase. McClelland also organized the Cops and Comfort Dogs Symposium in Groton, which brought law enforcement and their numerous comfort dogs together from other states to learn more about the program and discover ways to take it to their own communities."
"It was an honor to receive it, and I know how much the program with Chase played a role in it, and so I'm just really grateful to have the support of our department and our community with the police service dog program and also Puppies Behind Bars who donated her," McClelland said in response to her award.
