Milford Schools and Jeffrey Nielsen Take School Security to the Next Level

By Brian McCready, Milford Patch Editor

For the past four years, Jeffrey Nielsen has been the public face of the Milford Police Department.

Whenever there was a major arrest or incident, it was Nielsen’s face on the television camera or with the press release to the media.

But Nielsen did much more than that in his role as supervising the Crime Prevention/Public Information Unit where he worked with youths, city officials and the business community to help ensure their safety.

So it was a natural that when the Milford Board of Education created a new position in this year’s budget for a coordinator of Schools Safety and Security that he’d be a natural fit for the job.

Nielsen earlier this month recently retired as a Sergeant in the Police Department after a 20-year career and has embarked a new career, a job that will add a new level of security to the city’s schools.

“Jeff Nielsen has emerged to be one of our most trusted and talented police officers. His involvement in the Marine Unit, Dive Team, Crime Prevention and as our Public Information Officer, have contributed greatly to our success. Jeff will be missed and we look forward to seeing the contributions that he will make to the School District,” said Police Chief Keith Mello.

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It’s not like Nielsen’s new job will take him far away from the Police Department. Yes, he won’t be a police officer anymore, but in his new job he’ll work very closely with the Police Department.

“I’m very excited about the position,” Nielsen said in a recent sit-down interview with Milford Patch. “I have intimate knowledge of the schools emergency plans, drills and the reports we do. It will be a seamless transition for me.”

According to Milford Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Feser here are some of Nielsen’s major tasks:

· Coordinates all safety and security training for staff in compliance with state requirements.

· Oversee, supervise/evaluate security personnel

· Conducts bi-annual school safety and security assessments of every school building as required by the State.

· Serves on the School Safety and Security Working Group (which has been in existence since the Sandy Hook shootings occurred)

· Acts as a safety and security liaison and advisor to Elementary School Principals

· Monitors and assesses every crisis drill in every school.

· Serve on the School Safety and Security Committee in the Schools

· Serves as the liaison to local, state, and federal emergency management agencies, Milford’s Police and Fire Departments, the Health Department, Social Services and other city departments regarding all emergency and safety matters affecting the district.

· Coordinates the School Resource Officers to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff in district buildings

· Implements, maintains and updates the School Incident Management Manual and disseminates it as required.

· Coordinates district safety and security investigations as necessary.

· Performs periodic and random security inspections and prepares security reports as necessary, including reports of school drills.

· Gives recommendations, from a security perspective on infrastructure improvements, construction of building or other spaces in accordance with the State Security Infrastructure Council guidelines.

· Maintains and analyzes safety incident reports and records and advises administration of deficiencies and efforts to ameliorate them.

· Collaborates with the district Communications Coordinator (Kathy Bonetti) to provide timely notifications to parents and various stakeholders, as well as plan and prepare media releases and communication.

Nielsen as supervisor of the Crime Prevention Unit organized the Citizen’s Academy, worked with the Milford Prevention Council, Milford Animal Control, worked on safety plans, car seat installation programs, false alarm programs, mass notification systems for the Police Department, and neighborhood watch programs.

Nielsen said there is no doubt he’ll miss his police work and his friends.

“I’ve created bonds and friendships over the past 20 years,” Nielsen said. “I’ll still see many of my co-workers and friends.”

Nielsen thanked his two former chiefs Thomas Flaherty and Mello for giving him opportunities to have a successful law enforcement career. He said he is most proud of his work with the community and the strong reputation of the Police Department.

Some career highlights

Certified police instructor

Marine Unit and Dive Team

serves on several committees and executive boards in the community including: the Milford Prevention Council, Milford’s Promise and the Special Olympics of Connecticut.

Recognized for community efforts by the Mayor’s Youth Committee for People with Disabilities in 2007, the Milford Police Department Board of Police Commissioners’ Community Service Award and the Milford Democrats in 2013.