North Haven Election 2025: Alden Mead Running For Police Commission

NORTH HAVEN, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in North Haven with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Town Clerk/Tax Collector and more.

North Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Alden Mead is running for re-election to the North Haven Police Commission as a Democrat.

Occupation:
Professor

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes

Why are you seeking this office?
I would like to extend my good fortune to be an incumbent with ten years experience serving on this very effective, bipartisan commission. This is a particularly cohesive, special group where each of the five of us work together to serve the residents of North Haven bringing together often diverse views to serve the safety and the rights of all town residents. Importantly, I believe we have the best Police Department and services in Connecticut and would like to continue in my role with that department. My experience is that each and every officer is a special example of professionalism and caring, from the Police Chief and leadership to each and every patrol officer on the street; each always puts their own interests and safety on the line on a regular basis for the residents of the Town of North Haven. I hesitate to over extend myself with work, however, I'd hate to under extend my civic responsibility. I seek to continue in this office, serving the very special department and special residents in concert with my current commissioner colleagues.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Communication and understanding; I intend to be participating, understanding, and empathetic with all stakeholders in Public Safety: residents, officers, and fellow commissioners.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I believe I have a commonality of interests and a respect for the other candidates. We each have our own particular set of skills, experiences, and feelings; however, we also have the humility and ability to appreciate each other's background and talents. I'm not "better" than anyone else in the running- I'm just a choice.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am a caring person with a foundation based on a very diverse background. I do have a degree in law; I am an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University; I am also an Associate Clinical Professor at the Yale School of Medicine; I've worked in Global Health at numerous countries and universities everywhere around the world; I am also a combat veteran having served "on the ground" (and "in the air") in Vietnam; I have held a number of positions with the federal and state governments. As an enlisted person in the army, experiencing terrible threats to the safety of others, to the director of a non-profit global health organization, I've learned to put others first in order to understand any value I myself may have. In Public Safety, I think that is what residents should expect and I know that that's what North Haven Police Officers understand every shift.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Be humble. Be strong. Be kind.