The Undermining Consequences of Misconduct Among School Resource Officers and Paths Toward Restoring Community Trust
- M.R. Grigsby
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
Michael R. Grigsby, Editor-- 27 July 2025, 8:38 AM EST
Somerset, Kentucky — The recent arrest of Chief of Police Daniel Smoot from Laurel County Public Schools on charges of driving under the influence represents more than an individual failure—it reflects a breach of public trust that resonates far beyond a single incident. Though Smoot was off-duty at the time of the arrest, the symbolic weight of his position as a School Police Chief and leader in school-based policing amplifies the damage. The effects of such misconduct extend directly to the perception, legitimacy, and effectiveness of SROs within the educational environments they are sworn to protect.
Molly Barentt, Public Information Officer forLaurel County Public Schools, announced on social media around 3 p.m. on Saturday that Smoot was no longer employed with the district after being notified about the DUI investigation by London police, who subsequently announced his termination following the arrest. The Press release can be read here
School police officers occupy a unique and sensitive position within the broader law enforcement structure, as they are entrusted with the safety of children and tasked with fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the school community. According to court documents, Daniel J. Smoot, 65, was allegedly found “sitting in the hallway of a hotel” on the 200 block of Alamo Drive when officers went there to carry out a welfare check just after 4 p.m. on Friday. According to the London Police Department, investigators could smell alcohol on Smoot, who was allegedly unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.
Emergency personnel reportedly told law enforcement that Smoot originally appeared to be “having a medical issue.” Smoot was arrested on Waco Drive and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, first offense. Smoot taken to the London Police Department, where the citation says he agreed to take an intoxilyzer test. The results of the intoxilyzer test were 0.247, three times the legal limit for alcohol. He was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center and released just after 5:45 a.m. on Saturday.
When an SRO, especially a chief, is arrested for an offense as serious and preventable as DUI—registering a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit—it sends a message of negligence, hypocrisy, and a lack of accountability. The fact that Smoot reportedly refused to comply with field sobriety instructions further worsens the optics, suggesting an unwillingness to uphold the very legal standards he was expected to enforce.
This arrest has reverberating consequences for students, parents, and educators alike. In communities where police presence in schools is already controversial, incidents like this validate concerns about the overreach, culture, and accountability of school-based law enforcement. It undermines initiatives aimed at building trauma-informed, restorative, and trust-based safety models. When those who are supposed to model integrity fall short, especially in such a public and disgraceful way, young people’s attitudes toward law enforcement become increasingly cynical, and the relationships that take years to build can be fractured overnight.
To prevent future occurrences and begin to restore trust, school districts must implement rigorous vetting and wellness monitoring for SROs. Mental health support, substance use awareness programs, and mandatory ongoing professional conduct evaluations must become standard. There should also be a transparent disciplinary framework that includes community oversight, especially when SROs are implicated in criminal behavior. Importantly, school districts should prioritize community engagement and communication in the aftermath of such events—not only issuing statements that affirm student safety but also demonstrating concrete steps being taken to preserve it.
Moreover, this case underscores the need for professional standards boards or independent review committees to assess SRO behavior. The line between off-duty conduct and public responsibility is a narrow one, particularly in positions involving children. The visibility and symbolism of the badge don't disappear after hours; they carry into every public and private action.
The resignation of Daniel Smoot was necessary, but resignation is not resolution. To genuinely address the harm, Laurel County Public Schools—and others observing this case—must see this incident not as an isolated failure but as a systemic warning sign.
Prevention, transparency, and the cultivation of ethical leadership must now become the foundation for school policing. Only then can SROs regain their essential role as guardians of student safety and community trust, rather than examples of institutional contradiction.
This article was written by Michael R. Grigsby, one of the news editors for LCTI, LLC. Michael is passionate about writing on topics such as public interest, outdoor recreation, photography, strength sports, bodybuilding, and powerlifting. He provides accurate and insightful news reports on a wide range of topics. He loves connecting with readers and is always happy to answer any questions you may have.
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