Lake Forest Community High School has announced that Officer Matthew Allen from the Lake Forest Police Department will become its new School Resource Officer (SRO) starting in the fall semester of 2026. Officer Allen will begin by shadowing the current SRO, Officer Long, before transitioning to the main SRO role.
Officer Allen has worked with the Lake Forest Police Department for seven years on patrol. He emphasized his focus on community-based policing and building connections with students and staff. “I went to Stevenson High School, and when I was there, we had one SRO, I never knew my SRO, I never interacted with my SRO, which was good, but I never had that connection with them… I want to be someone they can come to if they need help,” Allen said.
He also stated his intention to maintain continuity with the approach taken by Officer Long. “I want to know their name before they have to know mine… I want to build an educational foundation and mentorship for them(the kids),” Officer Allen said.
The appointment is part of a four-year rotational program between the Lake Forest Police Department and Lake Forest Community High School. Officers interested in becoming an SRO submit a letter of intent. About five candidates are then selected for interviews. The high school ultimately chooses the officer who best fits its needs.
Officer Allen plans to start a Citizen Police Academy (CPA) program at the school. This initiative aims to give students direct insight into police work through instruction from law enforcement professionals. “A lot of people who go through it, the CPA program, have a different insight into what we do,” Allen said.
Allen will continue working alongside Officer Long until he assumes full responsibilities as SRO at the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year.
