Scott McKenzie

WHAT’S HIS JOB?

Choosing law enforcement from a list of promising careers when entering college, Scott McKenzie was hired by Alcona County, working marine patrol, while he finished his education in criminal justice.

Spotting potential in the young man, the department later sponsored him and paid for his police academy training.

In his 19 years with the Alcona County Sheriff’s Office, McKenzie has worked as a corrections officer and done undercover work with the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team, a multi-jurisdictional task force. For the past 16 years, he has been on road patrol, responding to traffic crashes, offering assistance to medical teams, and undertaking investigations into crimes in the community.

WHAT HE DOES FOR FUN

When he’s in plainclothes, McKenzie can be found camping, boating, fishing, or riding four-wheelers through the woods. He is often recognized while he’s out of uniform, having worked in the county so long, and regularly gets a welcoming smile and kind reception.

“I’m very friendly with the community, and most people recognize me,” McKenzie said. “And, most of the time, anyway, they are very, very friendly.”

WHAT’S THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE JOB?

Police work takes officers into moments when people are hurting. That’s the tough part, according to McKenzie.

“Some of the things we see on the road, be it bad accidents or crimes against people, injuries, those things can be difficult to deal with, especially if you investigate crimes against a child,” McKenzie said.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART?

The good part, McKenzie said, is the people he’s able to help.

“When you solve a crime or help out in whatever way, and the people look at you and they say, ‘Thank you, you helped a lot,’ it does make you feel good that you are out there serving the public, and somehow you helped somebody in their day,” the officer said.

It’s pretty common, McKenzie said, for strangers to shake his hand and thank him for his service, an attitude not all officers encounter in their work.

“I am very, very proud to be a police officer,” McKenzie said, “Law enforcement is a great career, and I would do it all over again.”