Ron Washington
Ron Washington and his two brothers and sisters all attended Branford schools with Ron graduating from Branford High School in the Class of 1972. A Branford native, he played football for BHS, was named to the All-State Team and is a member of the Branford Sports Hall of Fame.
Between 1983 and 1999 he was a patrol officer for the Branford Police Department, charged with the enforcement of state statutes and town ordinances, protecting the lives and property of residents and visitors. His duties included daily interactions with citizens and diffusing stressful situations. He was also part of the Special Response Team, which was called out for extreme situations. In 1999 he was promoted to the rank of Detective/Youth Officer, a position he held until 2013. He maintained all juvenile records and investigated criminal cases against children from inception to conclusion. He also dealt with the office of the New Haven State's Attorney, Department of Children and Families, Department of Probation and various other local police departments.
During this time he developed anti-drug, alcohol and safety programs for Branford children and teens. While serving the Branford schools, its teachers and students, Ron earned the respect and admiration of the community. He was seen as a highly competent police officer who cared about students. His positive, infectious personality, his friendly manner and his wonderful sense of humor and smile were often the elements that allowed Ron to disarm situations effectively. He served as the police liaison to the Branford Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking, appearing on a billboard and in two commercials representing the coalition. He developed the Kid Care ID Kit, participated in the Take a Step, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts and an Anti-Bullying program for children and the elderly. Ron also developed and implemented the Branford Juvenile Review Board in 2001, a program providing a community based alternative and diversion for first time juvenile offenders from Branford. This intervention has proven to deter further crime and has been successful in keeping some of our youth from having to enter the court system.
When there was an issue in a school, Ron usually was the first person on the scene. Often, he would arrive at a school before students and teachers so he could proactively address situations that had developed over night. If a child was in harm's way, Ron was the key person in not only informing school personnel, but in assisting to develop a plan to help the child. To students he was seen as a person who could be counted on to help them. Students and teachers trusted Ron to always be available as an important part of improving their situation in school. Ron's demeanor was always positive, professional and friendly. School safety issues were especially important to Ron. A prime example of this was his work as the driving force in developing security procedures for the school environment which began long before school security became a national issue. In 2007 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut.
For twenty-nine years, Ron Washington served to protect his community and helped to educate its children, earning their trust, respect and admiration. Ron now has more time to spend with his son, Jamelle, daughter-in-law, Dana, beautiful granddaughter, Kendall and his long-time companion, Patricia Coogan.
Between 1983 and 1999 he was a patrol officer for the Branford Police Department, charged with the enforcement of state statutes and town ordinances, protecting the lives and property of residents and visitors. His duties included daily interactions with citizens and diffusing stressful situations. He was also part of the Special Response Team, which was called out for extreme situations. In 1999 he was promoted to the rank of Detective/Youth Officer, a position he held until 2013. He maintained all juvenile records and investigated criminal cases against children from inception to conclusion. He also dealt with the office of the New Haven State's Attorney, Department of Children and Families, Department of Probation and various other local police departments.
During this time he developed anti-drug, alcohol and safety programs for Branford children and teens. While serving the Branford schools, its teachers and students, Ron earned the respect and admiration of the community. He was seen as a highly competent police officer who cared about students. His positive, infectious personality, his friendly manner and his wonderful sense of humor and smile were often the elements that allowed Ron to disarm situations effectively. He served as the police liaison to the Branford Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking, appearing on a billboard and in two commercials representing the coalition. He developed the Kid Care ID Kit, participated in the Take a Step, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts and an Anti-Bullying program for children and the elderly. Ron also developed and implemented the Branford Juvenile Review Board in 2001, a program providing a community based alternative and diversion for first time juvenile offenders from Branford. This intervention has proven to deter further crime and has been successful in keeping some of our youth from having to enter the court system.
When there was an issue in a school, Ron usually was the first person on the scene. Often, he would arrive at a school before students and teachers so he could proactively address situations that had developed over night. If a child was in harm's way, Ron was the key person in not only informing school personnel, but in assisting to develop a plan to help the child. To students he was seen as a person who could be counted on to help them. Students and teachers trusted Ron to always be available as an important part of improving their situation in school. Ron's demeanor was always positive, professional and friendly. School safety issues were especially important to Ron. A prime example of this was his work as the driving force in developing security procedures for the school environment which began long before school security became a national issue. In 2007 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut.
For twenty-nine years, Ron Washington served to protect his community and helped to educate its children, earning their trust, respect and admiration. Ron now has more time to spend with his son, Jamelle, daughter-in-law, Dana, beautiful granddaughter, Kendall and his long-time companion, Patricia Coogan.