Fairfield Police Names New Head Of School Safety Division

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Police Sgt. Michael Stahl, who has been with the department for nearly 15 years, has been named the new head of the Fairfield Police School Safety Division, according to officials.

Stahl is replacing Lt. James Wiltsie, a 25-year veteran of the department who is retiring at the end of the month. Most recently, Stahl was the department's Public Information Officer, and he will be replaced in that role by Sgt. Jenna Wellington.

"I would also be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank Lt. James Wiltsie for his 25 years of dedicated service and his outstanding leadership within the School Safety Division and throughout his career in various other roles," Stahl told Patch. "His contributions have been invaluable, and his legacy of excellence will continue to guide our efforts."

In his new role, Stahl will oversee the division's operations, school resource officers, youth and community relations efforts, and the S.H.A.P.E. Program (Safety, Health, And Positive Environment).

"In this new capacity, I’ll be focusing on initiatives to enhance safety and build stronger connections between our schools and the community," Stahl said.

During his decade-and-a-half tenure, Stahl has had "the privilege of working across various bureaus, divisions, and units, gaining diverse experiences that I will draw upon as I transition into this new role," he told Patch.

The School Safety Division has seven School Resource Officers, in addition to his supervisory post. It oversees the safety and security of 17 public schools, and coordinates safety efforts with two private high schools, and numerous other private schools in town. Fairfield's PreK-12 population is approximately 10,000 students.

"My immediate priority is to work closely with the officers assigned to the division to support the incredible work they already do in maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and families," Stahl said. "This division has truly set the gold standard for school safety in our region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of our officers, school staff, and the community. It’s my goal to ensure that we continue to meet and exceed that standard."

Stahl added, "I am incredibly excited to step into this role and build upon the strong partnerships we have developed with the Fairfield Public School District, private schools, and the community as a whole. My background in communications will be a key asset as I work to strengthen these relationships and ensure that our efforts remain transparent and aligned with the needs of the school community."

In addition to providing safety, Stahl said that continuing to foster trust, connection, and collaboration between the police department and the community is vital, and he believes his work as the department's PIO has been invaluable.

"I am incredibly proud of what we have built during my time in Public Affairs, particularly our online interactive dashboard, our increased communication with one another and our strengthened relationship with the community," Stahl said, adding that he is confident that Wellington will continue the Public Affairs Division's high standards.