After 27 years as an Oak Harbor police officer, including eight years as a detective with the major crimes unit, Officer Jim Hoagland is ready for a new challenge. He’s going back to school.

Sitting in his office at Oak Harbor High School, Hoagland isn’t there to take classes, although he did say there is a lot to learn. He is the new student resource officer for the Oak Harbor School District.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.

Hoagland coached his son’s little league team for years and said he enjoyed the opportunity to be a mentor and positive role model.

One of his main priorities in his new position is to provide education about the use of electronics.

“A lot of our kids don’t know the limitation’s of what they can and can’t do with the sending of items,” he said.

While working in the major crimes division, he said he encountered many students who didn’t know they were breaking the law by sending inappropriate pictures or harassing others online. There are free “Digital Citizenship” programs offered through the Department of Justice that Hoagland is hoping to introduce to school administration.

Although his office is in the high school, he also serves all of the other schools in the district. As the student resource officer, he sees his role as “being here, not only for the security and safety of the students and staff, but crime prevention.”

He aims to create a safer learning environment and foster positive relationships with the staff and students, he said. Hoagland sees it as important to provide as a positive image of law enforcement.

Each morning, he “walks the beat” around the high school. This walkabout includes checking all the gates to ensure they’re locked and talking to people to try and get to know more of the students. So far these interactions are mostly positive, but some people get a little nervous by the badge and uniform.

“I’m hoping to introduce a much softer uniform,” he said.

He’s looking for something that’s lighter blue and “not so scary.”

He maintains an open-door policy at his office for anyone seeking a mentor, educator or law enforcement officer.

As a student resource officer, Hoagland will be involved in active shooter training and other safety plans. He brings a tactical background as member of the Oak Harbor SWAT team for the past eight years.

Officer Jim Hoagland answers questions from Oak Harbor High School junior Andrew Löff about joining the police department’s Community Advisory Board. Photo by Laura Guido/Whidbey News-Times