School Safety Unit

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The School Safety Unit is responsible for creating a physical presence at assigned school(s) and school related events.  School Safety Officers serve as an informational resource to staff, students, and parents on safety information and interpretation of law.  The unit is also responsible for the implementation of new safety and law curriculum and to serve as an educator to the student population at assigned schools.  The school unit further aides in enhancing physical security and security procedures at assigned schools and periodically assessing, identifying and reporting vulnerabilities at assigned schools.

The Fairfield Police Department School Safety Division was developed in 2013 in response to the need and desire for police presence at the schools. The team currently consists of:

  • One Supervisor
  • Two School Resource Officers (SRO), each one dedicated to either Fairfield Ludlowe or Fairfield Warde High School.
  • School Safety Officers monitoring the remaining fourteen public schools, as well as private schools. These officers are also responsible for the instructional portion of the Division, the Fairfield Police Department’s S.H.A.P.E. program.
The primary responsibilities of the School Safety Division are:

  • Create a physical presence at assigned school(s) and school related events.
  • Serve as an informational resource to staff, students, and parents on safety information and interpretation of law.
  • Implement new safety and law curriculum and serve as an educator to the student population at assigned schools.
  • Serve as an active member on safety committees and threat assessment teams at assigned schools.
  • Aid in enhancing physical security and security procedures at assigned schools.
  • Periodically assess for, identify, and report vulnerabilities at assigned schools.
  • Become familiar with building floor plans and emergency contact information for assigned schools. Ensure this information remains updated.
  • Provide periodic training for administrators and school staff at assigned schools.
  • Conduct periodic safety meetings with staff, students, and PTA’s of assigned schools.
  • Handle investigations at assigned schools.
  • Provide first response to all calls for service and/or safety hazards at assigned schools.
  • Remain mindful of incidents occurring within close proximity to assigned schools, evaluate the potential secondary hazards and respond accordingly.
  • Regularly monitor various social media outlets for any threatening or disturbing posts.

S.H.A.P.E Program

In order to prioritize and facilitate other school safety functions, the Fairfield Police Department School Safety Division has implemented the S.H.A.P.E. program as an alternative to the D.A.R.E. program.

S.H.A.P.E. is an acronym for Safety, Health And Positive Environment. The program is currently taught by the two School Safety Officers.

Read more about SHAPE

Unit Supervisor

Wiltsie
Lieutenant James Wiltsie