For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Bedford Police Sgt. Jeff Wardwell Named School Resource Officer of the Year

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to share that Sgt. Jeff Wardwell has been named School Resource Officer (SRO) of the year by the Massachusetts Juvenile Police Officers Association (MJPOA).

Sgt. Wardwell was given the Ronald Kinlock Award for School Resource Officer of the Year by the MJPOA on Monday, April 1 at the annual MJPOA convention in Norwood. The award recognizes one officer each year who works with young people and exudes understanding, compassion and patience.

Officer Kristen Dineen, also an SRO for Bedford Public Schools, nominated Sgt. Wardwell for the award.

Sgt. Wardwell has been in law enforcement for 30 years. He became a juvenile officer to work more closely helping young people early on in his career, and later taught Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) programs at local schools. For the past 15-20 years, he’s transitioned to working as an SRO at Bedford Public Schools, primarily at Bedford High School.

“Early on in his career, Sgt. Wardwell demonstrated a knack for connecting with young people,” Chief Bongiorno said. “The best SROs develop an easy, amicable rapport with students as well as parents, administrators and educators that makes it easy for the school community to turn to that person for help. Sgt. Wardwell embodies that.”

In his role as an SRO, Sgt. Wardwell greets students daily and asks about their days, fostering a positive, friendly relationship should students ever need help. He regularly checks in with administrators to keep abreast of any concerns or issues, and assists teachers whenever needed.

“It’s very rewarding,” Sgt. Wardwell said. “The kids are great, kind young people. It’s a good feeling, helping students, and it’s a great position to have in Bedford because the students, parents, teachers, administration and staff are so nice. I’m very appreciative of my job, and it’s an honor to be recognized in this way.”

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