WOODBURY — Officer: a person holding a potion of command; an executive leader; a person from whom you seek help.
For Officer Chris O’Toole, the title of school resource officer is very important to him.
“Most of my relationships are positive with the kids, even kids who get in trouble at times,” O’Toole said. “When kids do things that I have to act in my official capacity, that is the hardest thing. I’m not here to get kids in trouble.”
O’Toole always tries to form positive relationships with students. It’s important to him that the students see him as a positive influence.
“I talk to a lot of kids around here all the time and I hope it helps,” O’Toole said. “I hope I’m a positive influence on them.”
O’Toole’s positivity isn’t just reflected in the students that he greets each day. Faculty, staff, and administrators also see the beneficial influence O’Toole brings to the NHS campus.
“I think a lot of times when there is a major issue we have to deal with because he already has a relationship with those students and has to report them,” said Nicole Lewis, Nonnewaug’s assistant principal, “it makes it easier to either get the truth or rule out the issues because of that time he’s put into having an understanding of the kids and the situation before it becomes a big deal.”
O’Toole has always been drawn to a career in law enforcement. He always felt the need to help people and be the guy people feel safe with.
“I’ve been an officer for 31 years,” said O’Toole. “When I was in college back in the ’80s and early ’90s, I did the criminal justice courses and internship with the Johnston Police Department in Rhode Island, and I just fell in love with doing the job, helping people.”
When O’Toole retired from the Southbury Police Department in 2018, he couldn’t stay away from the job. Returning to work was based on a variety of factors, but O’Toole recognized his role in the community could be best served working with kids.
“I just felt the need to help and come here,” O’Toole said. “I try my best to treat the kids here like I would want my kids to be treated. [Working at NHS has allowed me to] talk to them to see if they have issues or are just tough in general.”
O’Toole brings his experience with having teenage kids into work with him every day. This caring relationship allows students to feel comfortable and safe in his presence.
“A lot of people look up to him and I really trust him,” said Trevor Santopietro, a junior. “He’s a good guy and we have a close relationship, and having that close relationship with him makes me and other kids feel safer.”
