1st Ever Director Of Security Hired At Branford School District

BRANFORD, CT — Scott Riordan has been appointed the first Director of Security for Branford Public Schools, the district announced Thursday.

The new position was established in the fiscal 2026 budget to “enhance school safety, strengthen collaboration with first responders, and support security priorities across the school community,” according to a news release.

Riordan brings more than 31 years of distinguished service in local and federal law enforcement to the role. Most recently, he served as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Division, where he led investigative and administrative operations across six New England states overseeing more than 200 employees.

His expertise includes “strategic planning, gun crime intelligence, community partnerships, and high-stakes crisis response,” according to officials.

“I am honored to join the Branford Public School system after 31 years in local and federal law enforcement and look forward to working closely with staff, students, and families to ensure a safe and supportive atmosphere for learning,” Riordan said.

Read more from the news release below:

During his tenure with ATF, Riordan directed multiple high-impact initiatives, including federal racketeering investigations, implementation of the National Integrated Ballistic Identification Network (NIBIN) in Connecticut municipalities, and the formation of new law enforcement task forces. He also held various leadership roles such as Resident Agent in Charge, Special Response Team (SRT) Operator, and Canine Handler, and has received numerous accolades, including the ATF Director's Award and the OCDETF Director's Award.

The creation of the Director of Security position reflects Branford’s deepening commitment to proactive, community-integrated safety planning. As part of this role, Riordan will serve as the direct supervisor of the security team, liaise with emergency services, advise on infrastructure and operational safety practices, and develop training and preparedness programs tailored to school environments.

“The District has always taken the safety and security of students and staff seriously,” Superintendent of Schools Christopher Tranberg said. “Having Scott lead the charge will help us develop a program that will not only improve our practices, it will serve as a model for other communities.”

Riordan holds a Master of Science in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Italian from Duquesne University. He is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Board.