Fairfield Police Chief Issues Statement On Safety After Uvalde Tragedy

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras issued a statement Tuesday to assure residents that the department is trained and prepared to handle emergency incidents, following the mass shooting last week in Uvalde, Texas.

The police response to the incident in Texas has been called into question, and Kalamaras is confident similar wrong decisions would not occur in Fairfield.

"In Fairfield, our officers have extensive and constantly updated training that prepares us for this type of unthinkable event," Kalamaras wrote. "Though we hope we never have to use the skills such training builds, we work hard to sharpen those skills. Our School Safety Division consists of a dedicated and diverse group of officers with years of experience, who also work to train and prepare educators and school staff for events such as this."

Nineteen students and two teachers were killed in the rampage at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, and Kalamaras said protecting of those in a school shooting is most important.

"Our utmost priority is maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students, faculty, and staff," Kalamaras said. "Preparation, repetitive training, and scenario-based exercises have well-prepared our police force and educators, who work hand-in-hand in Fairfield to ensure our schools are a safe, welcoming environment where students can focus on learning and not fear."

Below is the full text of Chief Kalamaras's statement:

We will never forget that on May 24, 2022, 19 young children and two educators lost their lives in yet another senseless and incomprehensible tragedy, at Robb Elementary School, in Uvalde, Texas.

A 911 call for help brought those first responders to a call that is every law enforcement officer’s worst nightmare.

In Fairfield, our officers have extensive and constantly updated training that prepares us for this type of unthinkable event. Though we hope we never have to use the skills such training builds, we work hard to sharpen those skills. Our School Safety Division consists of a dedicated and diverse group of officers with years of experience, who also work to train and prepare educators and school staff for events such as this.

Our utmost priority is maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Preparation, repetitive training, and scenario-based exercises have well-prepared our police force and educators, who work hand-in-hand in Fairfield to ensure our schools are a safe, welcoming environment where students can focus on learning and not fear.

The Fairfield Board of Education continues to be a great community partner and we work very closely with them in several areas, including safety.

We hope that our skills never have to be used, however we are certain that what we do every day prepares our officers and educators to respond effectively if they do.

As details emerge from the Uvalde Texas response, we absolutely understand the concern that parents may have when sending your children to school. Please know that our town leadership has provided your police department in Fairfield with the resources and tools necessary to maintain the best training, equipment, and skills possible for this type of situation.

Our officers rely upon such training and experience every day to ensure that the safety and security of our school system is at the forefront of our daily life.

If anyone in the community has questions or concerns about security, I invite you to contact the Fairfield Police Department and other community leaders to engage in conversation. Working together as a community can be a source of both comfort and security in such concerning times.

— Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly set up a quote by Chief Kalamaras. That sentence has been updated.