School resource officers are stationed at each school in the Logan-Hocking School District to protect and support students. Hocking County is extremely fortunate to have such a resource to keep students safe. Deputy Cowgill is the resource officer for Chieftain Elementary and has worked in law enforcement for 16 years.
School resource officers may find themselves fulfilling many different roles. Deputy Cowgill explains, “I can be their counselor and mentor, and I never thought that would be part of the job.” Students may rely on these officers for more than just protection. Not only is Deputy Cowgill a friendly face to his students, but he can support and aid the administration at Chieftain with any behavioral issues.
Before pursuing his career in law enforcement, Deputy Cowgill aspired to become a chef. After some research, Deputy Cowgill realized that he no longer held the same desire for cooking as a career. Deputy Cowgill was inspired to change his career path and had many members of law enforcement in his life. While his friends were skeptical due to his short stature, Deputy Cowgill decided to switch his training toward a career in law enforcement. He studied at Hocking College before joining the police academy.
In recent years, America has seen several tragedies that have increased the need for schools to incorporate more extreme protection measures. One of these measures is for schools to have their own deputy or officer at their disposal. Deputy Cowgill expresses, “After the Parkland incident, a lot of people realized that we should have someone at the schools.” Due to the rise in threats and shootings, many schools now have an officer on-site in case of an emergency to provide more immediate protection to students and staff.
Deputy Cowgill can also be a mentor to those interested in law enforcement as a future career. Deputy Cowgill explains, “law enforcement is always looking for something new.” A specialty such as technological skills can be a great way to show individuality. Being an example of what a career in law enforcement can look like can be beneficial in educating students about the importance of safety.
School resource officers are a resource that Hocking County is fortunate to have. Not only do they keep students safe, but they also provide counseling and support to those in need. Deputy Cowgill is one of many officers who keep the schools in Logan safe.