FAQs

Stamford Public Schools has a security department that is led by Joe Kennedy, a 35-year veteran of the Stamford Police Department (SPD). Before joining Stamford Public Schools in February 2022, Mr. Kennedy was the SPD’s liaison to Stamford Public Schools. 

In addition to Mr. Kennedy, the security department also includes a security consultant and more than 30 school-based security staff. 
 

The SPS Security Department oversees emergency management and the implementation of safety and security policies, plans, and training. Mr. Kennedy is in school buildings on a daily basis to support school administrators and security staff, assess risks, and prioritize how budget dollars will be allocated to provide the greatest protection against the most likely threats.  

Stamford Public Schools works closely with the City of Stamford, the Stamford Police Department, the Stamford Fire Department, and Stamford EMS on emergency response planning. This work takes place year-round and is led by our director of security, Joe Kennedy along with the superintendent and district and school administrators. 

The State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has a School Safety and Security Division that compiles resources for community leaders, emergency management directors, educational professionals, and emergency responders in developing and growing comprehensive and collaborative school security programs within their local communities. SPS and the SPD work closely with other districts in DEMHS Region 1 to share best practices for school security and also to share information and resources related to school threats. On the federal level, the SPD may coordinate with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security depending on threat assessments and criminal investigations.  

Every school is required by law to have a security and safety plan. The SPS Security Department works with each school to update its security and safety plan annually or more frequently as needed. 

Due to the nature of the information contained in the security and safety plans, they are not available for public review. 

Security enhancements are made each year based on funding approved by the Boards of Education, Finance, and Representatives. SPS may also make security enhancements based on state or federal grants. Over the last few years, security improvements have included fortifying entrances, adding vestibules to limit building access, expanding the use of security staff to all PreK-12 buildings, and enhancing external surveillance. 

Funding to improve safety and security is included in the District’s proposed budget each year. Final approval for the SPS budget rests with the Board of Finance and the Board of Representatives. Funds allocated for safety and security are used to address our top safety and security priorities across all SPS facilities. SPS also applies for state and federal grant funding to improve school safety and security.  

Building-based school security staff assist with student and visitor management, securing points of entry, monitoring student behavior, and assessing threats. Security staff are hired by Mr. Kennedy and report to the building principals and the SPS security department. 

School security staff are trained in First Aid, CPR, Active Shooter Response, De-escalation Techniques, School Policies & Procedures, Security Camera Systems, and the Raptor VisitorSafe System.
 

School Resource Officers (SROs) are sworn police officers who have received additional training in school-based law enforcement and crisis response strategies. SROs are employed and supervised by the Stamford Police Department but work full time in our schools. 

The SPD prioritizes school security, and police officers canvas our school campuses on a regular basis. The SPD also provides an enhanced presence when circumstances warrant. School Resource Officers, who are sworn members of law enforcement, work full time in our middle and high schools.  

Swatting refers to hoax calls intended to draw a response from law enforcement. Schools are a frequent target of swatting. 

The SPD, Mr. Kennedy, school administrators, SROs, and school-based security staff work together to immediately respond to any reported threats or suspicious activity. 

When school administrators implement an emergency response protocol, their only priority is to ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors on school grounds. Although every effort will be made to communicate with families quickly, managing the emergency will take precedence. School officials will communicate with parents/guardians as soon as practical, but this will often be after the situation is under control.

School administrators utilize four different emergency protocols to address safety and security concerns in and around schools:    

1. Secure School: Secure school is utilized when it is necessary to keep everyone inside the building due to an unsafe situation outside. Movement within the school is unrestricted, and classroom instruction continues.

2. Shelter in Place: Shelter in place is utilized when it is necessary to keep hallways clear for emergency responders. Most shelter in place incidents involve medical emergencies. Movement within the building is restricted, but classroom instruction continues.

3. Lockdown: Lockdowns are utilized in response to an imminent threat coming from within the building or somewhere nearby when it is deemed unsafe to evacuate. Movement within the building ceases and instruction stops. Interior doors are locked, windows are covered, and lights are turned off. Everyone moves away from doors and windows and remains silent while law enforcement responds to the threat.  

4. Evacuation: Evacuations are utilized in response to in-building emergencies when the safest alternative is to vacate the premises. Instruction ceases and all students and staff exit the building and gather at a predetermined location. 

Any threat against a Stamford Public School is investigated by the SPD to determine if it is credible. 

School or police investigators may interview the student alleged to have made a threat, witnesses to the student’s alleged statements or actions, and the student’s parents/guardians. 

Law enforcement may conduct a safety check for weapons in the student’s home. If the student’s parents/guardians do not consent to a safety check, a search warrant will be obtained. 
 

Any student who makes a threat against one of our schools will be subject to discipline per Stamford Board of Education Policy 5131 and Regulation 5131R. Students may also be subject to criminal charges. Students will be disciplined regardless if the threat was a joke. Students also may be disciplined or subject to criminal charges for making a false report of a threat. The decision to bring criminal charges against a student rests with the Stamford Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office. 
 

Most students are minor children, and therefore subject to strict privacy protections. In most cases, information about student misconduct, including disciplinary or legal action, is confidential. 

Each of our schools employs social workers and psychologists, and these mental health professionals are trained to support adolescents and their families. When appropriate, they may refer students to external providers or community partners for mental health services and support. The district also employs a crisis response team of mental health professionals who can be dispatched to a particular building, as needed, to support students who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis.    

Students, parents, families, and the larger community play an important role in school safety. The most important thing any of us can do is immediately report any threatening behavior or threats conveyed via phone, email, text message, or social media to your building principal or the Stamford Police Department.