Lieutenant Kyle Besse is an 18-year veteran of the Norwich Police Department who previously served on the department’s community policing unit. In September 2024, he began planning the Norwich Police Department Ice Cream Patrol after being tasked by the Chief to make a police-operated ice cream truck part of the department’s fleet. Over the following months, he collaborated with community leaders, business owners, and philanthropists to bring the vision to life. During the planning phase, someone suggested using an electric van, and all parties immediately recognized the value. After six months of fundraising, the team successfully purchased a brand-new EV van. Since its introduction on August 6, 2025, the Norwich Police Department Ice Cream Patrol has quickly become one of the city’s most impactful community engagement initiatives. Officers manning the ice cream truck have distributed more than 5,000 free ice creams citywide, creating thousands of positive and friendly encounters between Norwich Police Officers and residents of all ages.