This May we observe National EMS Week (May 18 to May 24) and National Police Week (May 11-17)—a time to honor the service of those working in law enforcement in our town. It’s an opportunity to highlight the evolving role officers play—especially in our schools. In Hamilton, Officer Gina Bertelli is a dedicated School Resource Officer for the HWRSD, and she has become a trusted presence in the lives of students—proving that safety is not just about protection, but also about presence and building relationships that last.
Whether leading a evacuation drill, reading to a kindergarten class, or catching up with students between periods, Officer Gina Bertelli is now a familiar and trusted figure across the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District. But her role as School Resource Officer (SRO) is far more than symbolic.
Since taking the position in December 2022, Officer Bertelli has become a vital part of the local school community—focusing not just on emergency preparedness, but on building daily, meaningful connections with students. With a background in law enforcement and military service, her student-centered approach aims to keep schools both safe, supportive and welcoming.
“Children and teens are a protected group, and it’s so important they have someone in their corner,” said Officer Bertelli. “That’s what being an SRO means to me—making sure students feel seen, supported, and safe.”
Officer Bertelli’s experience in public safety began in campus law enforcement at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, but it was her service in the U.S. Army National Guard that shaped her sense of duty to protect others. She served from 2012 to 2020 as a Military Police Officer with the 972nd MP Company in Reading and deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2014. She rose to the rank of Sergeant before concluding her military service.
“In the military, we protect freedoms,” she said. “Now, I do that in a different way — by helping students feel secure in their school environment so they can focus on learning and growing.”
Her path to Hamilton included time as a part-time officer with the Hamilton Police Department and a full-time post with Merrimac Police Department. In 2020, she returned to Hamilton full-time and pursued advanced SRO certification through the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). She is now also STARS-certified, part of a regional strategy emphasizing prevention, preparation, response, and recovery in school safety planning.
“Our department is deeply committed to community-oriented policing,” said Hamilton Police Chief Russell Stevens. “Officer Bertelli is a powerful extension of that philosophy. There’s growing recognition that School Resource Officers must be more than responsive law enforcement — today’s schools need approachable, trusted adults in the lives of students. Officer Bertelli exemplifies what it means to serve with intentional connection.”
A key part of Officer Bertelli’s approach to being a SRO is visibility. From daily visits to all five schools in the district, to informal check-ins with students, she prioritizes presence over patrol.
Her high school office—often stocked with snacks and covered in student notes—is a regular hangout for teenagers who want a safe space to talk, laugh, decompress, or seek advice.
“It’s a space where they know they’re welcome,” she said. “That’s how trust is built. A huge part of what I do is just being there—talking with students, offering advice, and being someone they can open up to.”
Beyond relationship-building, Officer Bertelli is also a leader in school safety preparedness. She assists with evacuation planning, evacuation drills, and collaborative safety strategies alongside administrators and staff.
Officer Bertelli is the second SRO to serve in Hamilton, following Detective Kent, who helped launch the program and now serves as a mentor and ongoing resource. Her role aligns with the Police Department’s commitment to community-oriented policing and reflects growing national recognition of the need for SROs who serve as mentors, educators, and partners—not just law enforcement officers.
“I’m grateful to have that history and support to build on,” she said. “The relationships formed—between police, schools, families, and students—make this role so effective.”
She collaborates regularly with school counselors, teachers, and administrators to ensure a whole-child approach to student well-being, addressing not just security but also emotional safety and support.
Looking ahead, Officer Bertelli hopes to see the SRO program continue evolving to meet today’s challenges.
“We owe it to our kids to be ready,” she said. “Not because we expect the worst, but because we want our schools to feel like the safest place in the world — for every student, every day.”
Career Highlights
- NASRO-Certified and STARS-Certified School Resource Officer
- RAD Self-Defense Instructor
- U.S. Army National Guard Veteran (2012–2020), Sergeant
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Merrimack College
- Master’s Degree in Environmental Management, American Military University
- Former collegiate softball athlete
This story is available for media to share as long as the writer is credited and the story links to Hamiltonma.gov. Interview and article by Cyndi Farrell.
