Officer Carol – Helping Seniors and Children in the Community
By Robin Vinci at August 19, 2023 | 9:30 am | Print
When it comes to the community, no police officer is more well-known than Officer Carol Zesut. Zesut is the community services officer. She most often can be found helping out a child or a senior in need.
“I help in our quality of life issues for everybody,” said Zesut, a New Britain resident most of her life. “I do a lot of referrals for officers on elderly people in neglect and family or persons who have problems.”
She worked dispatch at the police station for many years before becoming a full-time police officer.
“I used to watch officers and thought that seems like a really great job,” said Zesut.
She was somewhat accustomed to the job as her family was made up of all New Britain police or firemen.
“I knew they had important jobs. They worked odd hours and made sacrifices,” said Zesut. “It felt right coming here.”
Which makes sense that her favorite quote is one by Author Patricia Cornwell, “Cops are like Soldiers – they go beyond the limit of what’s normal so they can somehow keep life meaningful for the rest of us.”
Zesut who prides herself on her Irish background was hired on none other than St. Patrick’s Day in 1984.
On patrol for 11 years, Zesut then moved into helping out in the professional standards unit.
Called “Officer Carol” by the children, as it easier for them to pronounce and spell, Zesut helped establish many programs in the City.
She often fields questions from kids ranging from “did you ever shoot anyone?” to questions about her uniform. Zesut uses that opportunity to teach the children things they should know such as never handle a firearm and how you can identify a police officer.
“The kids really appreciate you shaking their hand and listening to them,” said Zesut. “Sometimes the kids are so cute I can’t stand it.”
One of her biggest accomplishments is beginning the TRIAD program which merges intergenerational activities.
“If it wasn’t for our main sponsors (American Savings Foundation, Hospital for Special Care and the New Britain Municipal Employees Service Association) and TRIAD members we wouldn’t be so successful,” said Zesut. “I work with great people.”
TRIAD holds such events at the Senior Prom, a Health Expo and an Ice Cream Social.
“It’s intergenerational because we think the kids need to know the seniors and that there are no differences between them except for age,” said Zesut. “They have the same wants and needs.”
She also works with the Explorers, which is a division of scouting from age 14-21 years of age.
“They come here to the police department every Sunday evening and work with officers,” said Zesut. “The great thing about the explorer post is they get community service hours for school and provide a service to the community by helping out.”
Zesut has been awarded many times gaining such honors as Officer of the Year by the Crime Prevention Association of Connecticut; Officer of the Year Award from the New Britain Police Chief; recognition from the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain for outstanding community service and volunteerism (1st person to receive that award); and a state of Connecticut General Assembly Official Citation for leadership in protecting and advocating the needs of New Britain seniors.
“Carol is one of the most seasoned officers in the department. She has been in the community services division for several years now and her work with TRIAD has been integral to the good relations between our senior communities, related health care agencies and the police department,” said Mayor Timothy Stewart. “She is a good officer and extremely dedicated to the city that she serves.”
Zesut at one time ran a TV show on public television called “Targeting Crime”. Yearly, she runs a Halloween safety program for kids, works in helping organize holiday baskets, the Safe Walk, Family Fun Day and was a Blockwatch organizer.
She also raises funds and collects new electric fans which she distributes to seniors. This summer she received a $500 donation from the New Britain Municipal Employees Services and still ran out of fans for needy seniors.
“We can’t do air conditioners, but at least fans offer a little relief from the heat,” she said.
She has worked with five mayors and has been involved with nearly 50 different programs.
“I’ve been very fortunate here. I like my job and I like New Britain. All the programs I have been allowed to do are very rewarding,” said Zesut. “I’ve had a great career here. I’ve done everything I am physically capable of doing. It’s rewarding.”
