Chloe Purvis

School resource officer Cameron Kolmer stands at the security desk awaiting any student or staff that may need his assistance on Sept. 20, 2024. “I enjoy being able to be there for everyone whether it is at their highs or at their lows,” Kolmer said.

As he monitors the halls, Cameron Kolmer is more than an officer in uniform. He is an integral part of the school community, not just as an enforcer of safety, but as a mentor and approachable confidant. 

In his role as a school resource officer (SRO), Kolmer ensures that laws are followed by everyone in the building. This can range from threats that may jeopardize the safety of staff and students to cyber crimes and even drug or narcotic possession.

“I am tasked with getting to know my students and creating relationships that can foster positive outcomes such as bridging gaps between law enforcement and the community, building a pathway for students to be successful members of society and distancing students from making costly mistakes that jeopardize their future,” Kolmer said.

He was originally assigned to a patrol officer position in the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) for six years. 

“He is a man of great integrity. I worked with him at the end of my career in the VBPD, and he is someone you can count on to help people see the bright side of things,” security guard Caesar Espinoza said. “He is a great asset to this school.”

Kolmer was asked to fill in for the SRO position at Ocean Lakes for a short amount of time until his supervisor asked him to stay permanently. 

“In patrol, you bounce from call to call and can never really develop a relationship with the people you are helping,” Kolmer said. “As an SRO, I get to see the same kids and staff every day, which gives me the opportunity to really get to know everyone.”

His main goal as an SRO is to make a positive impact and guide students’ mistakes towards a positive direction for their growth, according to Kolmer.

“Everyone that knows me knows that I want to be someone you can approach without hesitation,” Kolmer said.

Over the years, students have developed strong relationships with Kolmer, turning to him for guidance and support.

“He is always there to talk no matter what it is about,” senior Veronica Watkins said. “I will miss how much he cares about all of us.”

For Kolmer, his connections with students are intentional. Even when difficult conversations are involved, he always strives to leave a lasting impression.

“Every time I speak to a student, I want them to leave feeling like they can trust me and that anything I said to them was for the betterment of them,” Kolmer said. “Unfortunately, sometimes I have to be a little tough and tell students how it is, but I always want them to look back on the encounter and remember that I did what I did or said what I said because I want the best for them, and I care about them.”