Signal Mountain has for years been requesting a county-funded school resource officer for Signal Mountain/Middle High School, and the town’s wish has been granted. Here, new SMMHS SRO Dale Lockhart answers a few of our questions to introduce himself to the community that he now serves every day.
Q: What made you want to become an SRO?
A: I worked on patrol for years and on highway interdiction [a department focused on interrupting the smuggling of drugs] for the city [Chattanooga]. I had friends who worked SRO, and I’ve always loved helping kids. Before this I was the SRO at East Ridge High School for a year and a half.
Q: What did you want to be (occupation) when you were in middle/high school?
A: I always wanted to go into law enforcement. I had family in law enforcement and was around it, and I wanted to see what it was like for myself.
Q: What’s a typical day for you like at SMMHS?
A: In the morning, I make sure everyone gets in safe, then I come in and check all my emails. It’s different every day, but sometimes I go into classrooms and talk to students. I hang out with them in the cafeteria, which is how the kids get to know me, but I haven’t been here long enough to know all of them yet.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the job?
A: My favorite part is being with the kids; I like to cut up and have a good time, but my job is to make sure they’re safe and everything keeps running smooth. That lets them focus on their education – the reason they’re here – and I’m here to take care of any other problems that may get in the way.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
A: I love riding motorcycles, boating and the outdoors.
Q: What was your favorite grade in middle/high school and why?
A: Turning 16, because I got to drive.
Q: What advice would you give a middle/high school student that you wish someone had told you at that age?
A: Listen to adults. When you’re a kid, you think they know nothing. Listen to your peers and take the advice they give you.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.