Plainville Police Department Support Services Sergeant Richard Marques has been named Director of Safety and Security for Plainville Community Schools, according to Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage. He was selected through an extensive search and screening process conducted by a comprehensive committee that included Superintendent LePage, Plainville Chief of Police, Chris Vanghele, and several school district administrators.
Marques brings a wealth of experience to the newly created Director of Safety and Security position, having served in law enforcement for more than 27 years, and encompassing patrol functions, criminal investigations, behavioral health, supervisory and administrative positions. Additionally, he has had specialized training in the instruction of personnel and implementation of department policy, and has worked in conjunction with Plainville Community Schools personnel to assess school security measures, and design, modify and apply enhancements to the overall safety of the school district. In his role as Support Services Sergeant, he has also partnered with school district administration and personnel to enhance school security and implement emergency response training (ALICE). He has served as the liaison between the police department and the school district concerning safety and security, planned and executed district emergency management drills, assisted in updating district hazards plans, and served as the point of contact for and conducted physical security assessments.
Marques holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Haven and a Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Central Connecticut State University. He has completed a wide and extensive variety of professional development courses, trainings and certifications throughout his tenure including Protecting Our Schools – Blue Line Physical Security Assessment Training Levels 1-3, ALICE Instructor Course, Critical Incident Scene Management, Police Sniper Supervision / Team Leader Course, SWAT Team Command Leadership Decision Making, Capital Region Basic Special Weapons and Tactics School, De-escalation of Force training, and more. Additionally, Sergeant Marques will be completing an armed school security certification course in August (for retired police officers) which will allow him to remain armed as a school security officer.
He is a member of the National Tactical Officers’ Association, the Police Association of Plainville, and the American Sniper Association.
“Security and safety are our first priority, and a foundational need for all human beings in order to activate higher order thinking and learning. If basic needs of safety are not being met, it is very difficult to focus on learning, skill acquisition, relationship development, and other higher order skills and opportunities that align with our district vision and values. I am very pleased with our current status with regard to school security, yet the updates and upgrades, along with necessary training will remain critical to our comprehensive school safety and security systems,” explained Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage. “Sergeant Marques is the perfect individual to support and lead our ongoing organizational safety and security upgrades. He has been an outstanding liaison in our relationship and partnership with the Plainville Police Department. He will be retiring from the Plainville Police Department prior to assuming this newly created, Board of Education approved position in August. Despite retiring from law enforcement, Director Marques continues to have close relationships and connections with our police department, which will be vital to communication, collaboration and support. With this addition of a Director of School Safety and Security, we will ensure that all of our schools remain as safe and protected from potential threats as they can possibly be. In addition to hiring Director Marques, and having two existing School Resource Officers(SROs) at MSP and PHS, we are also in the process of hiring a security guard for MSP to specifically support entryway security in the absence of the isolated secure vestibule that is present in all of the other schools. We hope to work with town leadership to plan for the construction of a more secure vestibule entrance at MSP as soon as that is possible. Our team has also added many additional layers of security cameras, equipment and communication and response systems across the district over the summer. Parents in several of our schools will notice some of these additions, such as the new cameras at Toffolon, Linden, MSP and PHS, while other added elements of security will remain confidential in order to preserve their value in our ongoing efforts,” added LePage.
“It is an honor to continue to serve our community in this new role. I understand the responsibilities of this position and I’m ready to go to work. I have been collaborating efforts between the school district and police department for almost a decade. We have a very solid foundation in regards to our district security as well as a very engaged group of people to help build upon that foundation,” said Marques.
Marques will begin in his new role as Director of Security for Plainville Community Schools on August 29th.