Acting Cheshire Police Chief Addresses Staffing Levels, School Resource Officer Program

CHESHIRE, CT — Acting Cheshire Police Chief Fred Jortner gave an update Wednesday on the department’s staffing and school resource officer program for the school year.

The Cheshire Police Department shared the following message from Jortner in a post on Facebook:

Staffing Update & School Resource Officer Program – Fall 2025

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, the Cheshire Police Department would like to address some recent questions and rumors circulating in the community regarding our staffing levels and the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.

🔹 Current Staffing at CPD

The Cheshire Police Department is authorized for 48 sworn officers. As of today:

• We have one vacancy, following the recent retirement of Chief Dryfe.
• Three officers are currently in the police academy and are expected to graduate in October, followed by 10-12 weeks of Field Training.
• Four new officers have recently completed their training and are now fully operational.
• One officer is on long-term light duty.
• One officer will be deployed for military service beginning in October.

Despite these transitions, we remain fully committed to delivering excellent service and public safety to the Cheshire community.

🔹 School Resource Officer Assignment

We’re pleased to share that Officer Kahn has resumed full-time SRO duties for the 2025–2026 academic year. He will continue to serve both Cheshire High School and Dodd Middle School, maintaining a strong presence at each location.

This shared SRO approach ensures both schools are supported, while also allowing flexibility in staffing as we continue to rebuild toward full strength.

🔹 Looking Ahead: Strategic Reorganization

Beginning January 2026, the Cheshire Police Department will undergo a strategic reorganization aligned with modern law enforcement best practices. This initiative will focus on:

• Enhancing mentorship,
• Strengthening leadership and accountability, and
• Meeting the increasing demands of our growing community as residential and commercial development continues.

🔹 School Safety & Broader Security Measures

While we welcome an ongoing community conversation about school security, please know that the safety of our students is our highest priority. Beyond our dedicated SRO program, we also support school safety through:

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles
• Emergency response training with school staff and first responders
• Technology tools like Mutual Link to improve coordination during critical incidents

We thank you for your continued support and partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Chief’s Office (203-271-5553). Open communication remains a cornerstone of how we serve our community.