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 Photo By:Sarah Moore
One Dedicated Dogg
While in the Assistant Principal’s office, School Resource Officer Vernon Doggett jokes with senior Gloria Woodard about proper behavior. Officer Doggett has always enjoyed his job and taken it very seriously by enforcing dress code and general safety. “If I don’t like you, I don’t talk to you.” Officer Doggett said. “If I mess with you, it’s because I like you, my job is to make sure you get through high school safely.” -
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 By Brett Farrow
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When School Resource Officer (SRO) Vernon Doggett arrives at school each morning, he has no idea what will happen. The only thing he expects is a long day.
“Every day is different for a police officer,” Officer Doggett said. “Sometimes I get to school at 6 a.m. and don’t leave until 10 or 11 p.m. On an average day, I leave school at 4 or 5 p.m. then return to the police station. An SRO’s job doesn’t end when the students leave the building.”
Yet, Officer Doggett has his reasons for working such long hours.
“There are two reasons why police officers want to be SROs,” Officer Doggett said. “They either want to help young people or push them around. I want to help them.”
For Officer Doggett, that goal has several different aspects.
“My job consists of counseling students, teaching them about consequences and enforcing the law,” Officer Doggett said. “I talk to kids, their parents and grandparents all day. Any time there’s trouble at home or someone is a victim of rape or assault, there’s a situation where I can counsel.”
All of those tasks lead to a greater goal ac.-cording to Officer Doggett.
“High school students are on top of a mountain,” Officer Doggett said. “I’m across the valley on another mountain, looking at all the adventures they’ll have in life and trying to prepare them. I’m trying to teach young people to love life and get as much out of life without hurting anyone else.”
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