Two Fairfield Police Department cruisers used by school resource officers are turning heads with a bold new design. The vehicles now proudly display the mascots of the Ludlowe Falcons and Warde Mustangs in striking blue and red along their sides.
“A lot of people have been coming up to me, asking to take pictures with the car,” said Officer Chanse Wilkie, school resource officer at Fairfield Warde High School. “During arrival and drop-off time a lot of parents honk their horn just to tell me they like the way the car looks.”
The logos are part of a broader effort by the Fairfield Police Department’s School Safety Division, launched in 2013 and now staffed with eight officers, to build strong relationships with high school students.
Led by Lt. Michael Stahl, the division focuses on school safety, prevention and building trust through daily presence and engagement.
“Our officers work closely with school administrators to make buildings safer, but being part of the school community itself is just as important,” said Stahl.
Wilkie said his role is about more than safety. It’s about connection. “I like to think of my job as being a positive first interaction with law enforcement,” he said. “We’re trying to show students that Fairfield officers are more than what they might see on television.”
Beyond programs and policies, much of a school resource officer’s impact comes from the small, everyday moments spent encouraging and engaging with students. These interactions may be brief, but over time they can leave a lasting impression on how students see authority and build trust.
“We take pride in what we do,” Wilkie said. “The new car design is another way to show we’re here for the students and the community.”
Stahl said the redesign reflects the department’s commitment to that connection. “Our school resource officers are deeply ingrained in their schools,” he said. “We wanted the cars to embody that sense of school spirit and pride.”
