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02/03/2013 11:00 PMNORTH BRANFORD - Six armed security guards have been hired by North Branford Public Schools, with some set to begin work this week and others coming on board soon, according to Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker. All of the hires have "stellar" prior law enforcement experience and tactical training.
Schoonmaker said the extensive experience brought by the new guards is "perfect" for the needs of the district's new school security program, implemented in response to the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook school shootings.
"We feel it's important and necessary to assisting with our safety plan," said Schoonmaker.
Paperwork to complete the hiring process was completed on Jan. 31 to allow some guards to begin taking their posts this week. Two will soon retire from careers in law enforcement and will be phased in as soon as possible, said Schoonmaker.
North Branford public schools have been manned by police officers during school hours daily since Dec. 14. The new security program, estimated to cost the district $120,000 annually, will include five full-time and two part-time officers. In addition to the six new officers, current North Branford High School (NBHS) security guard Robert Piascyk remains on the post, for a total of seven school guards.
Piascyk will staff NBHS from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. He is a retired Regional Water Authority chief of police with 25 years of service and a former Woodbridge and New Haven police officer with more than 35 years in law enforcement who has participated in a variety of training exercises, including active shooter response.
New hire Charles Watts will fill a 2 to 6 p.m. shift as scheduled at NBHS and North Branford Intermediate School (NBIS). The Branford Public Schools security officer was a Hamden Police lieutenant for 26 years, serving as a shift commander, firearms and defensive tactics instructor, Special Response team member, and Narcotics Enforcement Unit supervisor. He also has experience as a U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security transportation security officer and as a state of Connecticut deputy chief judicial marshal.
The 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. guard on duty at NBIS, which is attended by grades 6 through 8, will be Patrick Redding, a retired City of New Haven assistant chief of police (Patrol Division). Redding served as a uniformed officer for 27 years, including as detective sergeant in charge of Youth Services. He received 18 commendation awards and two medals of merit.
Totoket Valley Elementary School (TVES) security officer Robert Norman will be on duty from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Guilford Police Department sergeant brings 29 years of officer experience, 21 as a police supervisor. He's led police tactical and management training and is a State of Connecticut emergency medical response technician. Norman is also a graduate of the Connecticut Criminal Justice Command Institute.
From 2 to 6 p.m., Stan Girard will be on duty at TVES, the town's grade 3 to 5 building. The retired North Haven Police officer has 25 years' experience as a patrolman.
Jerome Harrison School's (JHS) K to 2 nd grade building will be manned by security officer Kristen Fitzgerald from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 21-year City of New Haven police officer veteran has 17 years' experience with New Haven's motorcycle unit traffic team. She is a field training officer who has participated in active shooter scenario classes.
Covering JHS from 2 to 6 p.m. will be Harry DeBenedet. DeBenedet was with Yale Police for 22 years, serving as lieutenant. He was also the Yale Police supervisor in charge of training; supervisor of the Bomb Squad Training Division, firearms instructor, and Special Response Unit; supervisor of Internal Affairs; and administrative and student liaison. As a City of New Haven police officer of 20 years, DeBenedet also served the department as a training officer, firearms/tactics officer, and internal affairs officer. DeBenedet was awarded more than 40 citations and authored a state law regarding bomb threats. He has a degree in criminal justice management.