On Monday, Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey, president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association issued a statement about his recent participation at a news conference addressing the continued concern surrounding bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting schools and communities across Connecticut and around the country.
Chief Heavey joined representatives from the FBI New Haven Field Office, CT Dept of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and CT State Dept of Education to discuss law enforcement preparedness, the importance of School Resource Officers, and continued collaboration between schools and public safety agencies.
Screenshot of Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey speaking at news conference on school safety. At left is Greenwich High School SRO Chris Wallace. Sept 8, 2026
During his remarks, Chief Heavey shared the following:
“Thanks to the FBI New Haven Field Office for organizing this news conference today. Thanks also to DESPP Commissioner Ronnell Higgins and our partners at DESPP as well as the State Department of Education.
Bomb threats and swatting calls remain a serious concern for schools and communities across Connecticut and around the country. Fraudulent bomb threats and swatting calls are often used to target schools and school districts to cause fear and disruption. Even when a threat proves to be false, the fear, disruption, and strain on public safety resources are very real. CPCA represents all 113 Police Chiefs and over 6,500 police officers in CT. When one department feels the strain, we all do.
Law enforcement officers and public safety dispatchers continuously train for swatting incidents which generate a significant law enforcement response. It is important to note the potential for this activity to increase in the coming months as school begins.
School Resource Officers are an essential part of our ability to prepare for and respond to these incidents. Because SROs are already embedded in the school community, they understand the buildings, procedures, personnel, and unique needs of the students and staff they serve.
The relationships SROs build every day are just as important as their law enforcement training. Students, teachers, administrators, and families know their SROs and trust them. Those relationships can help information move quickly, concerns get reported earlier, and emergency situations be handled with greater coordination and confidence.
School safety is strongest when schools and law enforcement operate as one. The connection between educators and public safety will help schools prepare before an emergency, respond effectively when one occurs, and reassure students, staff, and families afterward.”
Click here to watch the video of the news conference please