Scott McKnight
Fredericktown,OH
Summary
Accomplished public safety professional with leadership experience in law enforcement, adult probation, and security operations. Skilled in supervising diverse teams, managing complex caseloads, and directing patrol activities to enhance community safety. Expertise in report preparation, collaboration with courts and agencies, and strategic financial management, ensuring effective operations and documentation.
Overview
1
1
Certification
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Security Officer
Ohio Industrial Commission
Ontario, Ohio
08.2026 - Current
- Patrolled Ohio Industrial Commission facilities and monitored public entrances.
- Checked visitor credentials and controlled building access.
- Verified photo IDs and tickets before allowing guest entry.
- Confirmed visitor identification before granting building access.
- Watched surveillance cameras and reported suspicious activity.
- Responded to alarms, disturbances, and emergency situations.
- Screened visitors and employees for weapons and contraband using hand wands and metal detectors.
- Searched bags manually to find prohibited items and contraband.
- Protected restricted areas from unauthorized entry.
- Observed entrances and exits for unauthorized personnel or prohibited items.
- Recorded incidents, shift activity, and security concerns.
- Worked with office staff and emergency responders during security events.
- Kept accurate logs of all security-related activities.
Village Council Member
Village Of Fredericktown
03.2021 - Current
- Foster a climate of collaboration between general public, city manager and members of city council.
- Keep up with news on daily basis to stay informed about local, regional, national and international events.
- Develop and strengthen political partnerships to further agendas.
- Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Work well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Use critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Develop and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Identify issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Participate in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Cultivate interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
Captain
Knox County Sheriffs Office
Mount Vernon, Ohio
01.2025 - 06.2025
- Directed patrol operations for Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies across assigned shifts.
- Checked incident reports, arrest records, and case files for accuracy and policy compliance.
- Applied department procedures and chain of command standards within Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
- Handled complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions within sheriff’s office operations.
- Supervised employees and supported positive, productive work environment to improve employee experience.
- Coordinated response plans for emergencies, critical incidents, and public safety operations.
- Monitored detention, transport, and custody procedures for sheriff’s office functions.
Adult Probation/Parole Officer
Knox County Common Pleas Court
11.2023 - 12.2024
- Managed probation caseloads for Knox County Common Pleas Court.
- Completed pre-sentence investigations through detailed research and review of police reports.
- Completed risk assessments on new offenders under review for parole or probation placement.
- Gave court testimony to support judicial decisions.
- Served as court liaison by attending hearings and sharing reports and recommendations.
- Reviewed violations and prepared reports for judicial review.
- Checked compliance with court-ordered conditions and reporting requirements.
- Interviewed offenders and completed home visits across community settings.
- Completed routine home inspections and drug tests for parolees.
- Monitored offender activity, including drug testing, job searches, educational programs, and social services.
- Counseled adult felony offenders on legal, substance abuse, mental health, employment, and personal concerns.
- Counseled offenders on substance abuse treatment options through community providers.
- Set up substance abuse rehabilitation for offenders.
- Explained probation terms and court expectations to clients.
- Explained consequences of violating terms of supervised release.
- Suggested sanctions and referrals based on supervision findings.
- Applied appropriate sanctions for violations of supervision conditions.
- Built and implemented probation and parole plans to support compliance with court orders.
- Worked with law enforcement agencies to investigate criminal activity tied to parolees.
- Worked with local service providers to add support services for clients.
- Helped parolees locate employment, housing, and other resources.
- Met with victims to discuss safety planning strategies and resource referrals.
- Worked with crime victims to confirm restitution was received properly and promptly.
- Provided crisis intervention during emergency situations involving offenders.
- Attended professional development seminars to stay current in field practices.
- Kept accurate records of offender contacts, progress notes, program reviews, and case files.
- Recorded case notes and updates in court records.
- Took part in court hearings regarding release status or revocation proceedings.
- Referred offenders to community agencies to complete services required by court orders.
- Observed and recommended community service options to support offenders.
- Supported preparation of pre-sentence investigations for courts.
- Worked with law enforcement, treatment providers, and court staff.
- Completed regular home visits, office meetings, and field checks on offenders.
- Reviewed data trends to evaluate effectiveness of current programming.
- Advised parolees on legal issues that could result from actions or decisions.
- Built professional relationships with offenders through home, school, detention, and community visits.
- Managed full caseloads covering pretrial, pre-sentence, and client supervision.
- Observed and recommended community service options to support offenders.
Police Captain
Mount Vernon Police Department
03.1998 - 09.2023
- Led and managed detective unit and developed processes for maintaining evidence and property
- Assigned and supervised subordinates to prevent crime, protect life and property and enforce laws
- Inspected and oversaw functions of patrol officers, detectives and lieutenants
- Planned, organized, directed and supervised operation of major divisions
- Planned, organized, directed and supervised operation of three major divisions.
- Liaised with government, civic and private organizations to promote community safety
- Developed and implemented ordinances rules and regulations to further departmental goals
- Scheduled and adjusted duty rosters to achieve efficiency of department operations, functions and actions
- Approved training and education designed to maintain and improve officer patrol and protective services
- Monitored performance of employees and established police requirements
- Supervised administrative and support functions of non-sworn personnel
- Documented incidents and arrest activities, reviewed written reports and communicated with subordinates to facilitate administrative follow-up
- Evaluated case documentation submitted by team members to check accuracy and compliance with department policies aimed at protecting criminal cases
- Incident Command positions at major events involving the city
- Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding personnel incidents to determine course of action
- Overview of increased field contacts, vehicle stops, criminal arrests and traffic citation volumes by effectively leading the Mount Vernon Police Department and establishing operational goals
- Oversee and effectively rolled out new systems for criminal prosecutorial case logs, crime reports, investigations, suspect records and operational agendas, resulting in strengthened traceability
- Liaised with local, state and federal regulatory agencies to streamline investigation completion
- Handled inquiries and made presentations before various commissions and news outlets
Education
10 Undergraduate Hours - Public Administration And Leadership
John Glenn College of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University03-2022
Basic Police Academy - OPOTA Certification -
North Central College
Mansfield, OH04-1996
OPOTA Certification - Criminal Justice
North Central State College
Mansfield, OH02-1996
Some College (No Degree) - College Prep
Johnstown Monroe High School
Johnstown, OhioSkills
- Risk assessment and management
- Court testimony
- Report writing
- Supervision planning
- Criminal justice and law enforcement
- De-escalation techniques
- Behavioral assessment
- Motivational interviewing
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Interviewing skills
- Stress management
- Effective communication
- Public safety protocols
- Inmate interviewing
- Counseling techniques
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Negotiation skills
- Professionalism in practice
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Negotiation skills
- Professionalism
- Crisis intervention
- Problem-solving abilities
- Time management abilities
- Teamwork
Certification
- Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA)
* Firearms
* ASP
* Mace
* TASER
- The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs
- First Aid/CPR/AED/Tourniquet
- Field Training Officer (FTO)
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
- FEMA Certifications
- Leadership Certifications
- Ohio Municipal League Certifications
Accomplishments
- Village of Fredericktown Councilmen
- New Directions Executive Board
- Assisted in implementing the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) for New Directions and the Mount Vernon Municipal Court, along with establishing a liaison within the Mount Vernon Police Department.
- Escape Zone Executive Board
- Assisted with the implementation of Lexipol Policy and Procedures
- KSAAT Executive Board
- Mount Vernon Police Department Officer of the Year Award, 2000.
- North Central State College - Commanders Award, Ohio Basic Police Academy, 1995.
Affiliations
- Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police member (OACP)
- Fraternal Order of Police Member (FOP)
- International Association Chief of Police (IACP)
- Ohio Tactical Officers Association (OTOA)
Personal Information
I’m a proud stepfather of three wonderful kids and have been happily married for over 27 years. My wife and I absolutely love spending time with our seven adorable grandchildren. It brings us so much joy! After dedicating nearly 26 years to my first job, I retired and look back on that time with fondness. Now, my wife and I enjoy taking little weekend trips together. They’re perfect for unwinding and recharging!
Timeline
Security Officer
Ohio Industrial Commission
08.2026 - Current
Captain
Knox County Sheriffs Office
01.2025 - 06.2025
Adult Probation/Parole Officer
Knox County Common Pleas Court
11.2023 - 12.2024
Village Council Member
Village Of Fredericktown
03.2021 - Current
Police Captain
Mount Vernon Police Department
03.1998 - 09.2023
10 Undergraduate Hours - Public Administration And Leadership
John Glenn College of Public Affairs
Basic Police Academy - OPOTA Certification -
North Central College
OPOTA Certification - Criminal Justice
North Central State College
Some College (No Degree) - College Prep
Johnstown Monroe High School