Ask Scott Ney where his loyalty lies, and he won't hesitate to answer. "I bleed green having been from this school district and living here my entire life," said the Donegal School District school resource officer (SRO). "I enjoy working with the admin, staff and especially the students."

Ney was recently recognized for his dedication to Donegal when he won the Pennsylvania Association of School Resource Officers (PASRO) 2023 Sgt. Mike Hayes SRO of the Year Award. This statewide honor was presented to Ney in late July at an awards dinner in Harrisburg during the 2023 PASRO School Safety Conference.

Ney didn't know he'd been nominated for the award, and he later found out Donegal High School assistant principal Nichole Roberts had submitted his name.

Ney has been an SRO for seven years, and he said he loves everything about his job. "I love that I get to give back to the school district I graduated from in 1987," he stated. "Seeing students going through from maybe having some troubles in or out of school and watching them eventually cross the podium at graduation is a highlight."

Challenges of his job include working with students who distrust law enforcement due to a bad experience at home or elsewhere, he said. "Most of my days consist of just trying to bridge the gap between students and police," he commented. "I assist students, staff and faculty in many situations. Many things I do either through the job or volunteer are to build that rapport and trust, which will only make for a safer educational atmosphere."

Ney explained that SROs fill many roles in a school setting - law enforcement, informal school counselor/mentor and public safety educator. He is trained in child development, de-escalating techniques and encouraging responsible decision making. Ney assists with teaching some classes in the district and volunteers as a coach for the football and softball teams. "I have volunteered as a chaperone for 45-plus high-schoolers to travel to Europe for two weeks on a World War II Western Front educational tour," he said.

After graduating from Donegal High School, Ney entered the Marine Corps Reserve and served for 15 years. He started his law enforcement career as a deputy for the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and then worked for the Lancaster City Bureau of Police. His SRO role is through Susquehanna Regional Police Department, where he's worked since 2004, holding several positions, including firearms instructor and field training officer. He also served with the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team.

Ney, who lives in Marietta with his wife, Ronda, and is the father of one son, said he can't imagine doing anything other than helping others.

"I am so glad to be able to give back to Donegal and the entire Donegal community in the role as law enforcement and as an SRO within the district schools," he said.