Scottville, MCC, WSCC, launch school resource officer partnership. 

Officer Steve Case

Scottville, MCC, WSCC, launch school resource officer partnership. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

SCOTTVILLE — Steve Case has been hired by Scottville Police Department as the department’s new school resource officer (SRO). Case will serve as a liaison between Scottville Police Department and Mason County Central Schools. He will also patrol West Shore Community College in a partnership agreement recently signed between the college and the City of Scottville. 

“When we’re looking at enhancing school safety, it’s a big plus partnering with the City of Scottville,” MCC Superintendent Jeff Mount said. “Doing so has benefits for both of us. This is all about the safety of our children. This is a win-win partnership for both of us and I’m really excited about that on both ends.”

Mount said the school resource officer will serve several functions at the school with the goal of creating a positive role model for the students. “A big part of the school resource officer position is educating children on the law and creating a positive relationship with them. It’s a good thing for our kids to see a uniformed officer who is there to keep them safe and to teach them the differences between the right way and the wrong way of doing things. The SRO will be a part of our school family.”

Scottville Police Chief Matt Murphy echoed Mount. 

“Community policing is a top priority for the Scottville Police Department,” Murphy said. “The key to a safe community is to build positive relationships. During the school day, the population of Scottville doubles with the amount of children and school staff in our town. Providing a full time officer to the school helps keep our town safe and also helps build relationships.

“I am very excited to have Officer Case join our department. He will be our main connection to the school, with the assistance of Officer Katrina Skinner and myself.” 

Case most recently worked as a corrections deputy with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in social services from Northern Michigan University. He also has an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College with a major in adult corrections. 

Case’s work experience also includes working for Child Protective Services. 

He and his wife, Kelsey (a Michigan State Police trooper), have two young daughters and live in rural Mason County. 

“I am looking forward to serving the students and staff of Mason County Central and the citizens of the City of Scottville,” Case said. “I really have a heart for community policing and this is the perfect place to be. I am looking forward to building these relationships in the town and at the school.” 

In addition to serving as the SRO for MCC, Case and the other officers of SPD will provide police coverage of WSCC’s Victory Township campus. 

In September, West Shore Community College’s Board of Trustees created a public safety department, allowed under the Michigan Community College Act of 1966. The action essentially allows the college to form its own police department. It also allows the college to contract out police services, which it has done with the City of Scottville. 

Murphy said SPD will be visible on the WSCC campus several times during the day. It will also be available for special events. 

The agreement was a goal of the WSCC board and college president Scott Ward. 

“I am pleased that through this collaboration, all three parties are strengthening each other and better protecting the communities we serve,” Ward said. 

Scottville Mayor Marcy Spencer said the policing agreements between the city, MCC and WSCC are positive moves for the city. 

“Over the past year, we have seen some positive changes at Scottville Police Department, through the full-time hiring of Officer Skinner, Chief Murphy and now Officer Case,” Spencer said. “We have already seen great results from our department making our town a safer place to live. We are looking forward to now building relationships at MCC and WSCC.” 

Chief Murphy said MCC has been a leader in Mason County for promoting school safety. Over the past several years it has been active in the Mason County School Safety Planning Committee, working closely with law enforcement, especially with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. 

“With the addition of the SRO position, our department is now ready to take an active lead role in school safety,” Murphy said. “Officer Case, along with myself and Officer Skinner, plan on working closely with the school safety planning committee and the sheriff’s office, in enhancing safety at both MCC and WSCC.” 

Though there isn’t a formal school resource officer position with Gateway to Success Academy, located in Custer Township just outside the Scottville city limits, Murphy said SPD will also be enhancing its presence at that school as well. Murphy said SPD also plans on working with Ludington Police Department, which currently provides a school resource officer for Ludington Area School District. 

“Former Chief Mark Barnett was very helpful in assisting us in creating this position,” Murphy said. “I am looking forward to continuing that relationship with Chief Timothy Kozal and Officer Chad Skiba.”

Case will be formally introduced to City Commission during its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. 

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