The Durham Resident State Troopers’ office is currently staffed by one State Trooper from Troop “F”, Westbrook Barracks.
The Resident State Trooper has the responsibility of handling every police related function in the Town of Durham which include investigating crimes, investigating car collisions, teach D.A.R.E., participate in community policing activities, applying for federal grants, patrolling the town, enforcing motor vehicle laws, making arrests and giving public presentations on a wide array of public safety issues, just to name a few.
The Connecticut State Police, Resident State Trooper Program began in 1947 and has become one of the most effective programs in law enforcement for smaller, community policing. Durham started their Resident State Trooper Program in September of 1998. Several other State Police Departments around the country have used the Connecticut State Police, Resident State Trooper Program as a model for designing their own programs.
The program is cost effective for towns in which the individual town has highly trained, professional State Troopers assigned strictly to the town. The Resident State Troopers are employed by the State Police and the town enters into a contract with the State Police Department for the services of the State Troopers.
The Resident State Trooper assigned to the Town of Durham is currently Trooper Peter DiGioia. Trooper DiGioia is a 22 year veteran with the State Police and has been permanently assigned to Durham for the past 11 years. Trooper DiGioia received an Associate’s Degree in Business at the State University of New York – Cobleskil. He has been a road trooper since his start in the State Police. He has received several awards during his years as a State Police Trooper including a Meritorious Award in May 1994, and two Outstanding Service Awards in May 1994 and October 2003. He is involved with the Regional District 13 Prevention Council and Juvenile Review Board. Trooper DiGioia is also a D.A.R.E. Instructor for Regional District 13 at Memorial Middle School teaching 6th graders.
He was a former K-9 handler and was an Officer of the Month for the State of Connecticut in May 2004.
Trooper DiGioia has applied for DUI Enforcement Grants for the Town of Durham and has successfully received these federally funded DUI Grants for the past 8 years. He applied for a JAG Grant in 2009 and used the funds to buy needed equipment to use on a daily basis for traffic violations, speeding, and DUI spot checks. He also received a grant from the Amber Alert Program for a computer and printer for his office in 2000.
If you would like to reach Trooper DiGioia, call the Durham Office at 860-349-2325, his voice mail is 1-800-258-1205 ext. 8006 or email him at pdigioia@townofdurhamct.org His fax number is 860-349-6945. Trooper DiGioia’s immediate supervisor is Sgt. Sal Calvo. Sgt. Calvo can be reached at 860-399-2129. The Commanding Officer at Troop “F” Westbrook Barracks is Lt. John Eckersley.
REMINDER: THE DURHAM RESIDENT STATE TROOPER’S OFFICE IS NOT STAFFED 24 HOURS A DAY. IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE OR NEED TO REPORT A CRIME, PLEASE CONTACT THE WESTBROOK BARRACKS AT 860-399-2100 OR 1-800-256-5761.