MIDDLEBORO — With hellos come goodbyes as Student Resource Officer Scott Phillips has passed on the torch to Zachary Porter. 

As Porter begins his new role as Student Resource Officer for the district, Phillips will end his six years as a Student Resource Officer after being promoted to sergeant by the Middleboro Police Department.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Phillips. “It will be an adjustment not being here every day.”

“We will miss [Phillips] greatly,” said Lyons. “Officer Phillips works with all of our age groups… and he is so kind to our students.” 

Porter has been a police officer for 14 years. He has been with the Middleboro Police Department for 11 years.

Phillips said that he believes Porter is ready for the task. 

“It's awesome,” said Porter. “Being able to interact with the kids everyday it's been fun.”

Porter said he had temporarily filled in for a Middleboro Student Resource Officer in the past and shadowed Phillips during his first week.

Superintendent Carolyn Lyons said that the role of the Student Resource Officer goes beyond safety.

“One of my favorite things to see is the relationship that grows between our young people and our police officers,” said Lyons. “They have that opportunity to see them as people and to see them as a valuable resource.”