Hartford police chief attending 10-week FBI training; assistant chief to stand in

Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody is attending the FBI’s National Academy for law enforcement leaders in Virginia through June 9, city officials announced.

Assistant Police Chief Kenny Howell is serving as acting chief, according to a news release. Howell worked for 22 years in the New Haven Police Department and three years as police chief in Millbury, Massachusetts.

The National Academy includes courses on managing organizational change, advanced investigative strategies for violent crime, advanced concepts of wellness and vitality, breaking barriers and building community, leading at-risk employees, emotional intelligence, the cyber threat landscape for law enforcement, critical incident leadership, the psychology of communication, critical analysis of present-day policing, among others.

“We are very proud of Chief Thody’s selection,” Mayor Luke Bronin said. “This is a time of swift change and enormous challenge in policing nationally, and Chief Thody’s participation in this academy presents an important opportunity to ensure that the Hartford Police Department remains a leader in adopting and implementing best practices.”

“I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious training,” Thody said. “This is an opportunity to better myself and the department so we can collectively better serve the Hartford community... I am excited to learn from the diverse group of instructors and attendees and share our Hartford successes and experiences with them.”

Thody will keep in touch with city and police administrators, attending meetings remotely, and return on some weekends to attend city events and catch up on necessary paperwork, the release said.

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com