Officer Kish: A Day at Work with Officer Kish, September 30, 2024. Photo courtesy: Violet Therriault

“My favorite part is building relationships with the teenagers. I think I get the best of both worlds. I get to be a cop but I also get to be like a social worker.” 

Kayleigh Kish, the School Resource Officer (SRO), has been protecting and serving the school community since March of 2022. She has been a Milford citizen nearly her entire life and has now dedicated herself to protecting the people in her community. 

Kish, a 2012 graduate of Jonathan Law, got her undergraduate degree from the University of New Haven and has been an officer for almost six years. She did active duty in the military before being hired by the Milford Police Department. 

Although most people see police officers only working on violent cases, Kish focuses on investigations that affect victims mentally. She is passionate about protecting people in cases that involve domestic violence, juveniles, psychological issues and mental health.

Kish’s favorite part of being an SRO is seeing the impact she has on students and people outside of the school community. Knowing that she makes a difference in people’s lives makes all the work she puts into her job worth it. Having students in the past reach out and show her gratitude allows her to see the importance of connecting with the students. 

While being a police officer is Kish’s dream job, there are downsides to the career. She explains how stressful it can be at times working under pressure and balancing devastating calls. She finds it incredibly important to make time for herself to decompress after being in difficult situations.

Kish also faces some challenges as a female police officer. Although the other officers treat her equally to the men, people on the street sometimes question her role as a cop. 

“My best weapon is not on my belt,” Kish states in an interview, noting that as a female officer, her best weapon is not one of the many tools she carries with her, but is her voice. It allows her to take control of a situation involving larger individuals without causing harm to herself or others. 

Kish’s demeanor as a cop can encourage others to pursue the same occupation. She is trying to change how police are viewed and does not want them to be generalized as violent. Kish also wants teenagers aspiring to be police officers to know that the required education and training is not insurmountable. 

If there is one piece of advice Kish would give students, it is that to become a police officer the best thing to do is to stay out of trouble and participate in “ride alongs” at your local police station to ensure it is meant for you.