It started with a small, soft souvenir soccer ball.
Ed Wooldridge caught one, at a Staples High School game. The next day, standing outside his office, he tossed it to students heading to and from the cafeteria for lunch.
They tossed it back. It was a conversation starter — and a way to build relationships.
Every Staples adult tries to connect with teenagers. For Wooldridge, that was particularly important.
For the past 8 years, he’s been the school’s resource officer. A member of the Westport Police Department, he — and colleagues working at every district school — are there first and foremost to ensure safety.
Every once in a while that means being first on the scene during incidents like swatting, a possible intruder or a student in danger.
Much more often SROs do the quiet, consistent work of getting to know every member of their school community. Young people learn that police officers are there to help, not hassle. They see “their” SROs as friends, not foes.
And occasionally, they confide in an officer about an important matter, helping avert a potentially difficult situation down the road.
Officer Ed Wooldridge
Wooldridge spent 23 years with the Connecticut State Police, before joining the Westport force in 2017. The next year — when the town funded its first SRO position ever — he applied.
After acceptance, he attended a a 6-day SRO training program that covered mental health, school violence and social media related topics.
Westport’s program has expanded to all 8 schools. This fall, Shane Pucci and Dennis Broderick begin their 4th years at Bedford Middle School, and Coleytown Middle/Elementary, respectively.
Other elementary school SROs include Ned Batlin (Greens Farms), Craig Bergamo (Long Lots), and Mark Grasso (Kings Highway and Saugatuck).
Broderick’s days begin with fist bumps, smiles and small talk. It’s his way of being approachable, and earning trust.
During recess, Pucci says, he might spot a youngster sitting alone. The SRO will start shooting baskets with him. Soon, other students join in.
From left: Dennis Broderick, Ed Wooldridge, Shane Pucci. (Photos/Dan Woog)
Wooldridge’s post outside the cafeteria is familiar to all. He seems to know every student by name. He chats with them easily, about their sports, music and other interests. His door is always open, and students frequently pop in.
Of all his police assignments — including K-9 and narcotics — Wooldridge says, “This is the best.”
As an elementary and middle school resource officer, Broderick handles everything from “tying shoes to answering questions about whether someone’s e-bike is legal.”
During 20 years as a Milford police officer, Broderick says, he was never inside a school. Now he looks forward to every interaction.
And they’re not always inside the halls. Earlier this month, working the front gate at Compo Beach during the fireworks, dozens of youngsters — and their parents — greeted him by name.
And the barrier that’s broken between police and students extends beyond Westport. Pucci laughs as he tells about a BMS student who, on vacation in Florida, approached a random officer and asked if he knew the Bedford SRO.
Bedford principal Adam Rosen understands Pucci’s importance. He calls Pucci “an integral member of our school community. While many understandably view the role of an SRO primarily through the lens of emergency preparedness and school safety, Shane’s greatest impact occurs during the ordinary moments of a typical school day. Those daily interactions and relationships build the trust necessary for a safe, healthy, and supportive school environment.
“Shane is a trusted resource for students, staff, parents and administrators. Students seek him out for advice and reassurance. Staff regularly rely on his insight when navigating student concerns, school operations and conflict resolution. Parents know they can turn to him as a thoughtful partner who approaches every situation with empathy, professionalism, and sound judgment.
“Perhaps most importantly, Shane demonstrates that school safety is built through relationships. Students are far more likely to seek help or share concerns when they have established trusting relationships with the adults around them. Shane has earned that trust through his consistency, kindness, and genuine care for our students and families.
Staples principal Stafford Thomas echoes Rosen’s praise. He says, “Officer Ed has become an indispensable member of the Staples High School community. Students, faculty and staff truly view him as a mentor, colleague and trusted member of our school family. His presence extends far beyond school safety; he has become an integral part of the culture that makes Staples a welcoming, supportive, and secure place to learn.
Like many Westport Police officers, Ed Wooldridge joined a Staples team for the annual “Dodge-a-Cop” dodgeball tournament. (Photo/Lily Williams)
“Over the years, Officer Ed has forged meaningful relationships across the entire building. Approachable and compassionate, he takes the time to know students as individuals, earning their trust and serving as an invaluable resource for those who need guidance or a trusted adult to talk to. At the same time, he works seamlessly with administrators, counselors, teachers and our security team, offering sound judgment, professionalism, and a calm presence that strengthens our collective efforts to support students.
“Beyond his operational role, Officer Ed provides something deeply appreciated: peace of mind. His experience, vigilance, and proactive approach contribute significantly to our positive school climate, allowing students and staff alike to focus on teaching and learning with confidence.”
Police Captain Jill Cabana oversees the SRO program. She says: “At its core, the School Security Officer program is about keeping our schools safe. While these officers are trained and prepared to rapidly respond to emergencies and the unthinkable situations no community ever wants to face, their role extends far beyond security.
Captain Jillian Cabana
“Every day, they build meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families, creating trust through positive interactions and a visible presence in our schools. Those relationships are invaluable during times of crisis, but they also help foster a culture where students know the Westport Police Department is approachable, supportive, and here to help.
“The SRO program is an investment in both safety and community, strengthening the connection between our schools and the department. Our officers have really woven themselves into the fabric of their schools and have taken ownership of their assignments.
“If you’ve ever seen the amount of fist bumps and high fives these officers get from current and past students at community events like the fireworks, the Yankee Doodle Fair and Halloween parade, you’ll know it’s working.”
Those words are important. But for Westport’s School Resource Officers, the real thanks come not from their peers, but from students.
Signing a yearbook, getting home-made cards or cookies — or just playing catch in the hallway with a squishy soccer ball — those are the moments Westport’s SROs never forget.
And, they hope, that Westport’s students never do either.
(“06880” regularly covers Westport’s schools and police — and, like today, their intersection. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
What a gift to Westport Students and parents!
I think it’s a great idea. It’s just too bad they’re necessary nowadays. Where I live there’s 79 public schools and only the 13 public high schools have officers.
We are so lucky in our town, the collaboration between our Superintendent, Board of Education, town, and our Police Department continues to a model for other communities.
There is no better PD in the state and I would argue beyond, than the men and women who serve and protect our town.