In this month’s Community Member Spotlight, we’re proud to feature Officer Heather McClelland and her loyal partner, Chase, from the Town of Groton Police Department. With 14 years of dedicated service, Officer McClelland has made a lasting impact through her role as a Community Policing Officer (CPO), blending compassion, connection, and innovation. From launching Groton’s Police Comfort Dog Program to building meaningful relationships across the community, she and Chase have become a beloved duo—bringing comfort, support, and a sense of trust wherever they go.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement? I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after college, but I had been an athlete my whole life and played lacrosse in college… so I went into the coaching field and coached at the college level for 9 years. I knew it wasn’t my passion, and I wanted to find something where I could make an impact. After speaking with a former player who went on to be a police officer, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. And here I am!
- How did you become involved in community engagement? My favorite part about this job is the people – helping them, having interesting conversations, and learning about different perspectives. When the CPO position became open in 2019, I decided that not only did I want to put in for the assignment, but I wanted to start a Police Comfort Dog Program to elevate the position even more. I’ve been in this position ever since, and have had my partner, Chase, for the past 5 years.
- Can you describe your current role and responsibilities? As the CPO, my job is to get out into the community and connect with our citizens, businesses and visitors. Every day is different, but because I have Chase, we are always busy (and in high demand!). We teach DARE in elementary schools, plan and coordinate several big community events, such as National Night Out, the Citizens’ Police Academy, Coffee with a Cop, and much more. One of our other roles is to work with victims and first responders after major incidents. I bring Chase to the courthouse to comfort kids/victims as they testify at trial. We also respond to major incidents and assist with crisis intervention stress debriefs for our first responders. It’s not always fun work, but it is really fulfilling.
- What do you enjoy most about working directly with the community? I love the response people have to Chase. People typically aren’t thrilled to see the police – either you’re getting pulled over for speeding or calling 9-1-1 for a serious emergency – so I get it! But to be able to walk into a place with Chase and see how the mood in the room changes for the better… or to see a victim calm down because they are cuddling with Chase and can now tell us their story… that’s the best feeling. That’s how I know we’ve made an impact.
- Can you share a memorable moment or success story from your work? We have spent a lot of time recently working with our Victim Advocates at the Courthouse in New London. Spending time with victims before and after they testify and seeing the direct impact we (Chase) can make on them is amazing. We recently showed up to assist a young victim who was very nervous about testifying against her abuser. When Chase entered the office, she got up and yelled out “CHASE!” Little did I know that she had met us before and spent time in school together. Having that connection already established helped this young victim do one of the hardest things she has ever done.
- How do you build trust and relationships with residents? I truly think that it’s about showing up, listening to people and following through with anything you promise to do. I don’t expect everyone to like the police or support us, but I do think that treating people with respect and letting them air their concerns can go a long way in building trust.
- What community programs or events are you most proud to be part of? Hands down, the best thing we have done here is start the Police Comfort Dog Program. From its inception in 2019, working with Puppies Behind Bars to find the right match for a dog, and to see how this program has spread throughout the state… it feels great to know that so many police departments are helping their communities and that we had something to do with starting that movement.
- How do you collaborate with local organizations, schools, or businesses? We work closely with our schools on a daily basis, whether it’s teaching DARE, visiting classrooms, giving presentations or practicing DOGA (dog-yoga) with the students. We have done similar things with CGB and other community organizations and businesses. One of our favorite events was a few years ago when we held DOGA at the Mystic Branch before hours! We also do a ton of collaboration with these groups for the many events mentioned earlier. The more we can integrate into the community, the better our relationships will be with our citizens.
- Are there any upcoming initiatives or events you’re excited about? We are excited to get back to our keystone event, National Night Out, in 2026! Over the years, Chelsea Groton Bank has been an amazing supporter in this initiative to strengthen police-community relationships by hosting a completely free event for our community. We average about 700-900 attendees each year, with over 50 organizations, music, food and various demonstrations with first responders. It’s a celebration of community and a great way for folks to meet the officers that serve and protect Groton every day. Mark your calendars for August 4, 2026!
