When students at Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center spot Officer Chris Gosling in their hallways, they're seeing more than just a police officer – they're meeting a mentor who has traveled from England to Maine in service of his community.
As Sanford's newest School Resource Officer, he brings 15 years of law enforcement experience and a deep commitment to building relationships with the district's youth.
The transition from patrol officer to SRO marks a shift in focus for Officer Gosling. "My job as a police officer here is ten percent law enforcement. The rest is mentoring, teaching, and counseling," he said. "It's completely different from patrol work."
With his own children in the school system, including one who recently graduated, he understands firsthand the challenges students face.
After serving in the military and working at York County Jail, Gosling joined law enforcement and has been serving Maine communities ever since. He has been a resident of Sanford since 2008, giving him deep connections to the community he now serves in this expanded capacity.
Sanford Middle School SRO Joe Jourdain sees Gosling's experience and approach as valuable assets for the role. "He wants to learn and excels at what he does, which will make him great as an SRO," Jourdain said. "He already jumped right in on projects and taking the lead on others. He's connecting with staff and students at the high school.”
Teachers have welcomed him into their classrooms to introduce himself to students and explain his role. "Chris is a down to earth, nose to the grindstone law enforcement officer," SRTC Director Matt Petermann said. "He's always ready the moment students begin arriving at school. Chris is not afraid to ask questions or let us know when something seems to be amiss."
Officer Gosling is preparing for additional training in school safety protocols, including ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) procedures. His message to parents and the community emphasizes both safety and accessibility.
"Kids are the number one priority," he said. "If parents have questions about anything, they can always reach out to me. They're entrusting us with their children, and I'm more than willing to answer their questions."