New School Resource Officer Excited to Build Connections

By Megan Ross Officer Matthew Allen is a name that is new to many, but in the 2026-2027 school year, his name will flood the halls as he fills Officer Mark Long’s shoes as Lake Forest High School’s new School Resource Officer (SRO).

LFHS welcomes a new school resource officer as Long’s four-year rotation is coming to an end. Allen comes from seven years at the Lake Forest Police Department,  and he has training in different specialties at the LFPD, such as: SWAT, drone operation, field training officer, taser instructor, and juvenile officer.

Matthew Allen looks forward to being "someone students feel comfortable talking to when they need help."

However, Allen is so much more than just a police officer. Allen played Division I Baseball at the University of Iowa.

“Fun fact: I pitched against Kyle Schwarber in college, and he went 0-3 against me!” Allen said. (For those who don’t know, Kyle Schwarber is the designated hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.)

The SRO position at LFHS usually oversees safety, supervision, and support daily, working closely with the Deans’ Office to help with supervision of students. Their top priority is the safety of the building and everyone present, including faculty, students, and guests.

Lake Forest is extremely lucky to have an SRO who is just as well-known and loved as Long.  Vice Principal Frank Lesniak agrees. 

“Although Officer Mark Long has really small feet because he is so small in stature, Officer Allen has big shoes to fill. It will be extremely hard to see Officer Long go, but LFHS is ready for the change,” said Lesniak.

Junior Elise Mancuso believes that change is new and exciting.

“Change can be a good thing, and I am looking forward to meeting someone new and seeing the positive impact he will have on the school!” said Mancuso.

Allen is eager to be involved in the community because at his alma mater, Stevenson High School, he did not have the opportunity to interact with his SRO. He is excited to join the safety and security staff at LFHS because he believes that a school should be a place where students feel safe, supported, and respected.

“I want to be more than just a police officer who shows up when something goes wrong. I want to build real relationships with students, help prevent problems before they start, and be someone students feel comfortable talking to when they need help,” he said.  

Allen will become a consistent and approachable officer seen throughout the hallways, but this isn’t just about safety; it is about building trust and a strong foundation for years to come. Allen’s philosophy is truly admired by many students, especially by sophomore Reese Bolton and Bella Kowalski.

“It’s exciting to see that Officer Allen is focused on building connections with students across LFHS, as students will foster a sense of trust and safety because he has proved that he cares about students’ opinions,” said Bolton. “Building trust creates a strong foundation between students and our SRO, making it easier for students to turn to Officer Allen in times of need,” said Kowalski.

Community is key for an SRO. Without a strong foundation of trust, the community won’t back their SRO. Allen is excited to get to know the students and faculty, whether in the hallways, at events, or in classrooms. He will quickly become a positive influence to support students in and out of school.

Community is something that was emphasized by both Long and Allen. Said Long, “I hope I helped create a strong trust for Lake Forest Police and the community as a whole.”  This story was first published on The Forest Scout.