BILLERICA — Three new Billerica Police School Resource Officers will be stationed in the hallways and classrooms of Billerica schools when students return in just a few weeks, so Chief Roy Frost and the Billerica Police Department would like to introduce those officers to students and the community.
Recently, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kerry Clery conducted a survey of over 280 community members to see what they would like to see in their next SROs. Respondents noted approachability, empathy, understanding, unbiased treatment, professional competence and a proactive approach as top things they want to see.
With that in mind, Billerica Police have selected Officer Phillip O’Loughlin to serve as the SRO at Billerica Memorial High School; Officer Greg Micalizzi to serve as the SRO at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, and Officer Brooke O’Leary to serve as SRO at the Valley Collaborative.
“After careful consideration of this important role, using a process that included collaboration and input from school staff, students and families, I am confident that these three officers will provide the SRO program with the skills, patience, competency and compassion necessary to best support our school community,” said Chief Frost.
Officer Phillip O’Loughlin will serve as the School Resource Officer at Billerica Memorial High School this school year. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)
Officer Phillip O’Loughlin – SRO at Billerica Memorial High School
Officer O’Loughlin is a 2003 graduate of the high school where he will now patrol the halls as SRO.
Officer O’Loughlin graduated from Lasell University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement and a Minor in Forensic Studies. He was also a two time Captain of the Men’s Lacrosse team for the university.
For the past two years, he has served as the SRO at the Valley Collaborative, where he built important skills and relationships with students of varying abilities, needs and backgrounds.
Officer O’Loughlin is trained by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), and he is also a certified Resisting Aggression Defensively (RAD) instructor and a certified Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor.
Officer O’Loughlin works in the community coaching boys’ and girls’ lacrosse, and he also works with Billerica youth each summer through the Junior Cadet Academy.
“It is important to me to be a caring and supportive presence for all,” said Officer O’Loughlin. “Being an active member of the school community allows me to build positive relationships, which I look forward to.”
Officer O’Loughlin’s favorite color is orange, he loves going to the beach and amusement parks with his family, and he was a member of the 2001 Billerica Memorial High School State Champion Boys Lacrosse Team.
Officer Greg Micalizzi will serve as the SRO at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School this year. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)
Officer Greg Micalizzi – SRO at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
Officer Micalizzi is a lifelong Billerica native and a 2012 graduate of Billerica Memorial High School.
He is a U.S. Navy veteran who has spent five years now as a Billerica Police officer. In his time on the department, Officer Micalizzi has brought both discipline and community focus to his roles, and he has worked closely with the department’s clinician to strengthen relationships with those who have behavioral health challenges.
Officer Micalizzi has also served as an unofficial SRO for the Ditson Elementary School, where he developed long-lasting relationships with staff and students, while learning patience and community connection. That assignment was part of the department’s Adopt-A-School program, implemented in 2019. The program saw officers visit schools located in their patrol sectors to interact with students and staff and build relationships.
“These experiences have given me the skills, patience, and community connection necessary to work as an SRO,” said Officer Micalizzi. “When I’m not working, I love to exercise and during the wintertime, snowboard. However, even with fitness and nutrition being passions of mine, I will never say no to chips and salsa.”
Officer Brooke O’Leary will serve as the SRO for the Valley Collaborative. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)
Officer Brooke O’Leary – SRO at the Valley Collaborative
Officer O’Leary is a Billerica native and graduate of Billerica Memorial High School.
She has served with Billerica Police for three years now as an officer, and served for three years before that as a 911 dispatcher. Officer O’Leary holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Community Engagement.
Officer O’Leary also completed a fellowship with YouthBuild, where she worked with young adults age 16 to 24 to earn their High School Equivalency Diplomas while serving as a life coach. She has also volunteered as a mentor for the past two years at the Boys and Girls Club of Billerica.
Outside of work, Officer O’Leary enjoys reading, playing with her dogs, and skiing.
“I believe our youth can teach us just as much as we hope to teach them,” Officer O’Leary said. “I am excited to get to know the students at the Valley Collaborative and Billerica Public Schools this year and to not only become a friendly face but to serve as a source of security, calmness, and trust for each young person that I encounter.
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A message from the Billerica Police Department
