Erin Slutzky

Conversing the hallway, sophomore Skyler Smith, Officer Scoggins and sophomore Natalie Adler joke around between classes. Scoggins has built many friendships here. “Developing relationships is what being a school resource officer is all about.”

After 12 years of providing the community with humor and humility, Officer Scott Scoggins plans to retire May 24 but will continue to utilize his law enforcement skills outside of school.

“I’m going to clean up the mean streets of Chesterfield,” Scoggins said. “[I hope to] become a supervisor and go into crime scene photography.”

Through years of working as a school resource officer (SRO), Scoggins built long-lasting relationships with the community, despite the initial shock of being back in high school.

“It was definitely weird to be back in high school,” Scoggins said. “But I still loved the students and the staff and the parents. My favorite part of the job over the years has been the football games and the proms [because] I get to see kids dressed up, actually excited and having fun, which is different from the regular school day.”

Scoggins believes his job consists of more than keeping students and staff safe. He also values his impact on the students.

“Hopefully I impact kids in a positive way to make them change the direction they were going by becoming somewhat of a mentor to them after they have made a mistake,” Scoggins said. “I wouldn’t be an SRO if I didn’t have the desire to have connections with the kids and guide them in the right direction.”

Senior Faith Malek reflected on the influence Scoggins made in her life throughout the years she has known him.

“I had no idea who he was until junior year, but [after that] if I really needed to talk to him about something he would definitely be there and listen,” Malek said. “If you’re just having a bad day, he likes to make you laugh.”

Other staff members recognize Scoggins’ familiarity around the school and how it has impacted the students.

“It’s important that a student feels that they can confide in an adult at school. If you have a personal relationship with that person then you feel comfortable speaking to them,” Building Manager Scott Bollman said. “He’ll be a cop when he has to be, but he’ll also be your friend when he needs to be.”

As a police officer, Scoggins is capable of helping students to change their path through the friendships he builds.

“It means a lot because not only am I a police officer, but [I’m] a counselor, I’ve been a friend, I’ve given advice, I’ve been the law enforcement side. To be an SRO here you have to be more than just a police officer,” Scoggins said. “[I will always be] forever a Longhorn.”