New look for EH Police

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- East Haven Police Department have a new female detective and a bilingual officer joining the force.

Their first female detective, Danielle Germe, has been an officer at the department for almost ten years.

"It's something I fell into. I ended up loving my job, and I just wanted to continue my career," Detective Danielle Germe said.

The department's newest officer Carlos Roman speaks fluent Spanish and has a number of years experience in law enforcement.

"After 21 years with New Haven, I fgured I put my time in and it was time to search for other options," Officer Carlos Roman said.

His last three years in New Haven, he was a detective.

"It's a little demotion, but I'm looking forward to it because patrol is different and it's fun," Roman said.

"We've been able to hire an American black, of the Virgin Islands, he's currently in the academy. We've hired our first female hispanic," Chief Brent Larrabee said.

This comes shortly after four officers in the department were charged with with racial profiling, targeting and harassing Latinos in town.

"I think it's groundbreaking and it's wonderful. It will be good for the community and give us a fresh start," Germe said.

Another reason this is an exciting day for Detective Germe and Officer Roman, is once again they'll be walking the halls together. This time as co-workers, not as classmates.

"I went to middle school with her and I graduated high school with her, back in West Haven," Roman said.

"I'll be asking him a lot of questions. He better be prepared for me to come and talk to him with his experience," Germe said.

"She's going to be a great detective. I look forward to working with her," Roman said.

"This is an interesting day for us and I'm proud of it," Chief Larrabee said.