Police vs The Mob, Deep Undercover Truths

Police vs The Mob, Deep Undercover Truths. Special Digitally Remastered Episode. Disregard any ideas you may have about the realities of undercover police work, especially those shaped by Hollywood's depictions.

Meet Lieutenant Ray Hassett, a retired police officer with 25 years of experience. His journey traversed the ranks from patrol officer to detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and even district commander in one of Connecticut's busiest police districts.

Ray's experience goes far beyond the silver screen. He delves into the gritty world of deep undercover operations, facing the unvarnished truths of combating violent organized crime. During a three-year covert assignment, he infiltrated and dismantled a menacing organized crime syndicate. This wasn't just about going undercover; it entailed assuming a new identity, severing all ties with the police department, and confronting the very real skills, threats, and dangers lurking in the criminal underworld.

Hassett's expertise extends to hostage negotiation, having received FBI training and serving as the Officer in Charge of the NHPD's Hostage Negotiation Unit since 2003. He's Crisis Intervention trained (CIT) and leads CIT officers in Connecticut, recognized as CIT Officer of the Year by the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE). Today, he continues to instruct police officers in de-escalation techniques, fostering improved interactions with the public and individuals in the mental health community.

In addition to his local impact, Lt. Hassett's influence spans the globe. As a contractor for the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, he imparts his wisdom on hostage negotiation and behavioral observation development to foreign police agencies in various countries, from the Middle East to the Philippines, India, Colombia, Tajikistan, Jamaica, and North Africa.

But Ray's journey into law enforcement wasn't conventional. He began as a patrol officer in 1987, only to officially leave the force in 1990, adopting a new identity to work undercover in organized crime. In 1993, he rose to the rank of detective, tackling cases in the Narcotics Division, the Major Crimes Unit, and the Arson Squad.

His dedication to community service led him to collaborate with The Yale Child Studies Program. This initiative brought together child psychologists and first responders, helping children affected by homicide and domestic violence. As a Fellow with the Yale Child Studies Center, Hassett spread this program to other police agencies in the region.

In 1996, he ascended to the rank of Sergeant, serving as Acting District Commander of the Chapel/Dwight Police District after a brief stint as a street supervisor in Patrol. By 1999, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant and became the permanent District Commander of the Chapel/Dwight Neighborhood, one of the busiest police districts in New Haven. It was in this role that he excelled, implementing innovative problem-solving strategies and nurturing close collaborations within diverse and ever-changing neighborhoods, significantly enhancing the quality of life.

Before his entry into law enforcement, Ray's life took an interesting turn. He was once a professional actor who toured Europe with his improv partner John Ratzenberger. His film credits include iconic titles like "Superman: The Movie," "Ragtime," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Body Double." Interestingly, he often employs professional actors to simulate real-life incidents, aiding negotiators in better preparation for unit callouts.

In essence, Lt. Hassett's career exemplifies the stark realities and multifaceted nature of law enforcement, particularly when confronting organized crime and the challenges faced by deep undercover officers. His valuable skills, combined with a commitment to community engagement and crisis intervention, have made a lasting impact on the law enforcement landscape.

Interested in being a guest, sponsorship or advertising opportunities send an email to the host and producer of the show jay@letradio.com.

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Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer.

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