School Resource Officer

The School Resource Officer (SRO) is a police officer assigned to the Detective Division who acts as the liaison between the Police Department and the Board of Education, School Administration, faculty, and its students. Officer Christopher Ventura and Officer Elise Ackerman currently serve as SROs for the Wilton Public Schools.

Besides a physical presence at the schools, the SROs work to build a rapport with students and are available to parents in the community through organizations like the Wilton Youth Council. Officer Ventura and Officer Ackerman also participate in community activities, PTA meetings, sporting events, and fundraisers throughout the year.

The SROs coordinate all school programs related to law enforcement. The Officer Friendly program covers Stranger Danger, Rules and Laws, Peer Pressure, and Introduction to Internet Safety in the elementary schools. In middle school, students get a more in depth look at how to navigate the internet safely and cyberbullying, as learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use.  At the high school level, these topics are expanded on and new topics are introduced including social hosting laws and how to navigate graduation and college life.

The SROs work with the Board of Education in all aspects of the District Emergency Operations Plan as well as investigate all criminal complaints within the school or that involve school age residents.