Beaufort Police Department officer named South Carolina SRO of the Year
Beaufort Police Department officer named South Carolina SRO of the Year
Beaufort Police Officer Othoniel Hatchett has been recognized as School Resource Officer of the Year for the Low Country Region and the State of South Carolina at the recent SC Association of School Resource Officers’ conference, according to a press release.
Officer Hatchett who just completed his tenure at Beaufort High School, has also served at Ladys Island Middle School. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Hatchett is a seven year veteran of the Beaufort Police Department and served in law enforcement in the state of Ohio prior to coming to Beaufort.
When asked what interested him in becoming an SRO, Hatchett explained that he had prior experience with a cadet program in Ohio that assisted with search and rescue operations. During that time he enjoyed training and working with the young men and women on that team. When he was going through the field training program with the Beaufort Police department he observed how the SROs worked in the schools and felt that he could make a positive contribution in that area. After serving on patrol for several years the opportunity to go to a school presented itself and he dedicated himself to the job.
Lt. Doug Kadas who supervises the SRO program said that there are many things that impress him about Officer Hatchett but most of all his attitude. Speaking of Hatchett he says, “He is the kind of person who gladly goes above and beyond what he is asked to do.” Chief Clancy agreed and mentioned the impressive work ethic that Hatchett exhibits. “He is one of the hardest working individuals I have ever met.” Chief Clancy said.
To illustrate what he was talking about, Clancy related an incident where Officer Hatchett was washing his patrol car at the station and just kept on washing every car that he could get the hose to reach. “He didn’t do it for accolades or attention, it is just the type of person he is.” explained Clancy. Officer Hatchett worked on many programs to make the schools he was in better and safer. He set a great example for the students and enjoyed interacting with and getting to know them He feels that seeing cooperation between the students, parents, and school staff was the most rewarding part of being an SRO.
English is Officer Hatchett’s second language and his Spanish language skills have been an asset to the department as well. Now that he is back on uniformed patrol he is using the knowledge he gained to train other officers and will make himself available if the other SROs need his help.
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